How immigration became Europe's biggest problem: Adrian Papahagi explains Romania's different path

Europe has been grappling with migratory pressures for decades, profoundly reshaping Western societies. Nations like France, Germany, and the United Kingdom historically recruited labor from outside Europe to fill workforce deficits, but now confront serious challenges in integrating numerous immigrant communities.

In this context, Professor Adrian Papahagi explains to "Adevărul" why the migration model adopted by Western nations has become a significant problem. He contrasts this with Romania's situation, suggesting the country does not currently face the same risks as France or Germany, and discusses how Romania should approach the immigration it needs.

Data indicates a substantial increase in migration over the last decade. In 2024, nearly 6 million people immigrated to EU states, with 4.2 million coming from outside the Union. Spain and Germany received the largest numbers, with 1.29 million and 1.08 million respectively. Concurrently, almost 45 million people residing in the EU at the start of 2024 were born outside the Union. The Muslim population in Europe has also grown, estimated at around 46 million in 2020, representing approximately 6% of the continent's population.

Romania, too, is increasingly relying on foreign workers. The government has established a quota of 100,000 new foreign workers for 2025, following consistent growth in recent years, with a target of 90,000 for 2026. By the end of 2025, over 214,000 non-EU citizens held valid residence permits in Romania, more than 136,000 of whom were permitted to work. The majority originate from Asia, particularly Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

Papahagi asserts that Western countries initially encouraged immigration to address labor shortages. He believes this model functioned for a time but has since generated problems that Western governments are now struggling to manage. "The situation is serious because immigration has shifted from being a desired phenomenon to one that is almost imposed or endured, tolerated," Papahagi stated. He contrasts the past need for seasonal workers in rapidly developing countries like France in the 1960s with the current situation where large groups entering Europe from the Global South are, in his view, illegal and unwanted by European states. While he doesn't believe the trend can be fully reversed, he suggests the pace of migration can be slowed.

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Situația este gravă, fiindcă imigrația a devenit, dintr-un fenomen dorit, un fenomen aproape impus sau suportat, tolerat. S-a trecut de la muncitorii sezonieri necesari în țări care se dezvoltau rapid și aveau nevoie de forță de muncă, cum era Franța anilor '60, unde se construiau autostrăzile, sau Germania, sau Marea Britanie, la o situație în care, practic, orice grup mai mare care vine din lumea a treia forțează granițele și intră în Europa, ceea ce este, din punctul meu de vedere, ilegal și nedorit de statele europene.