Following the announcement of the Austrian Foreign minister, Sebastian Kurz, and the Defence Minister, Hans Peter Doskozil, about the possibility to send troops to the Italian border to prevent refugees entering Austria, S&D Group President Gianni Pittella said:

“The Austrian authorities are providing the worst possible example of responsibility, solidarity and anti-European spirit. It is shameful that the Ministers of Defence, Hans Peter Doskozil, and Foreign Affairs, Sebastian Kurz, could evoke the army to protect the border with Italy as if they were facing a war. This is the kind of attitude European citizens are ashamed by. This is the kind of spirit that risks making Europe crumble.

“We urge the Austrian authorities not to give in to populism and revise this unfortunate decision.”