This campaign is now closed.

While the pressure to change the name of Vice President responsible for"Protecting the European Way of Life" mounted, not only from movements like that of WeMove Europe, but from within the European Parliament as well, the name was changed, however not in the direction we advocated for. The new title held by Margaritis Schinas as of 11/13/19 is "Promoting our European Way of Life." While this shift in title does indicate that pressure from the public was effective, the change did not go far enough in the direction we advocated for. More information on the decision of Ursula von der Leyen to change the title can be found here.

Our commitment to issues like this one continues. Other campaigns that may be of interest to you can be found here: www.wemove.eu

42,057 of 50,000 signatures

Members of the European Parliament

Petition

We are people from all walks of life, who call Europe our home – whether we were born in Europe or elsewhere. We are proud to live in a Europe that is a stunning mosaic of cultures, languages, customs and beliefs.

Our way of life does not need protecting from migrants-- it needs equality and respect for human dignity and human rights. No human being is illegal. Migration is not a crime nor a security threat. What does need protecting however, is our planet. What is criminal is the rate at which we continue to deplete the resources of our planet, forcing people around the globe to flee their homes.

We call on you to reject the title of “Vice-President for Protecting our European Way of Life”, remove migration from this portfolio and ensure that human dignity, equality and human rights are upheld in the new European Commission and specifically in the portfolio in charge of Migration Policy in Europe.

Why is this important?

In any mosaic, each piece that makes it up is different from the other. But together, these pieces make something stunning.

The same can be said of our home -- Europe is made great by the wealth of cultures, experiences, and backgrounds of those of us who call Europe home. In fact, ‘Unity in Diversity’ is the motto of the European Union. But this vision is under threat.

European Commission President-elect, Ursula von der Leyen, has nominated a Vice President who will be in charge of "Protecting the European Way of Life". What do they mean by a European Way of Life? We are not sure. But we do know that his main responsibility is migration. [1]

The title of this position suggests that “the European Way of life” is somehow at odds with migration and needs protecting from it. This is an insult, at best. At worst, it takes on the rhetoric of the far-right, and institutionalises it. Marine LePen has called it an ‘ideological victory’. [2]

Meanwhile, pressure has been mounting to reject this title and remove migration from this portfolio. [3] We need to send a message: a massive people-powered petition showing that Europeans won’t stand for this could tip the scales.

In just three days MEPs will question the candidate for this position: the time to act is now.

References:

https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/10/what-s-the-european-way-of-life-eu-chief-s-new-commission-portfolio-draws-criticism
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-commission-life/eu-defends-european-way-of-life-idea-after-le-pen-claims-it-for-far-right-idUSKBN1W1262
https://www.politico.eu/article/jean-claude-juncker-criticizes-ursula-von-der-leyen-over-european-way-of-life-commissioner/
https://www.politico.eu/article/jean-claude-juncker-criticizes-ursula-von-der-leyen-over-european-way-of-life-commissioner/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/world/europe/eu-ursula-von-der-leyen-migration.html
https://www.enar-eu.org/Open-letter-to-Commission-President-Ursula-Von-der-Leyen-1675

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42,057

of 50,000 signatures

Recent comments

Robert

In Europe we are a collective of nationalities, languages, habitats and some of the world's most beautiful scenery. We need your help in opening people's eyes to the continual destruction of our natural heritage, to preserve it and our ability to generate enough food before it is too late Any delay moves our continent towards the need to achieve somthing which is nearing impossibility.Please do all you can to preserve - even improve - our world - and yours too!

Atie

Indeed, all people are significant and important! Don't catagorise people.

Janna

There is no European way of life, everyone is different and we all need to choose our own lifestyle.

Christine

I am Danish, my parents and family come from France, I was married to a Brasilian! We are “ international”

Paul-Wilh.

I'm member of the Europa Union of Germany, since more then 35 years. So I fight further more and stronger for Europe!

baptiste

Far right ideological fallacies should never be allowed to squeeze their way into the European institutions. This is the greatest threat to the European way of life!

Genocide

So you support the genocide of European people? For example, if Europeans were flooding India & Indians inevitably objected, you would support Indians without a doubt & demand that Europeans stop flooding their land. Why the hypocrisy? Why only this rule for Europe & not the rest of the world? So stop being a brainwashed Marxist & supporting the genocide of an entire race, because that's exactly what is happening, & not only that, Europeans are being forced to pay (taxed) to help support these migrants & eventually their own genocide.

Yrjö

Very important campaign which reflects my values

Catherine

Scotland wants to stay in the EU and we’re being forced to leave by WM.

Rupinder

Migrants are not the threat. they are people, just like you and me.

Arnoud

Protection means to go back to times that actually never existed. Of those revered times only the "good" and "us" things are remembered, not the wars, not the poverty, not the exclusion, not the ....

Brenda

Because I am European

Yvonne

The Europeans have destroyed so much of other people's cultures, in fact wherever they went, they destroyed people's lives and they stole whatever they could. Now they are scared that others will be like them.

Marliese

I have migrated from one European country to another, this right should be a human right for all.

Jan

I love migrants from everywhere taking part in European life & culture

Frederic

The respect for human rights is more important than the protection of any "way of life" which is culturally relative and of no ethical significance.

Aine

Because of the political direction European countries are taking in the name of migration control. This allows right wing dominance and rhetoric and a closing of borders. it fosters a suspicion between people with a massive loss of potential, skills, culture and real integation.

John

It is vitally important that Europe is open to all people, particularly those seeking refuge

Vedran

None of this fascist thinking. What is "European way of life"? Are we not supposed to be "united in differences"?

Rui

Only like this the human species can evolve in the right way and live socially healthy

Prue

Ca peut être enrichissant de recevoir les gens des autre bouts de monde surtout quand ils sont obligés à partir pour les raisons de toute variété.

Tjeerd

Diffrent is good

Vitor Manuel

The Universe don't need us. We need the Universe. Common mistake. Yes, I am a citizen of this world, as well as others human being from allover, and all that lives here (OTHER animals, plants, rocks and whatever). Europe STINKS when it comes to publicize and do things. They SAY one thing and DO the opposite... too many times

Europe must be saved from corruption and corporate crime, not migrants!

Kristen

As an immigrant, I find the suggestion that diversity--racial, cultural, and otherwise--is a threat. It is not a threat, and it should be embraced.

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