site.btaBulgaria and Romania Belong to Schengen, Says Austrian MEP and Youngest Deputy in EP Lena Schilling

Bulgaria and Romania belong to Schengen, Lena Schilling, an Austrian member of the European Parliament said in a BTA interview. At age 23, she is the youngest MEP. 

She believes that the extension of the Schengen Agreement for Bulgaria and Romania is essential for cooperation and for further European integration. The Greens do not support the veto imposed by the Austrian conservative party, she said. 

Schilling was born in Vienna on January 8, 2001. She studies political science at the University of Vienna and was a climate activist in the Fridays for Future movement. She was the top-of-the-list candidate of the Greens - Green Alternative for the EP elections this year.

In early 2021 the Austrian national radio described her as "arguably the most politically active young woman in Austria". In May 2024 she dropped to the last but one spot in the Austrian index for trust in politicians after she was reported to have discussed with her aides that she would abandon the Greens and move to the Left after the June 2024 elections. She has denied the allegations.

Following is the full text of the interview:

Ms. Schilling, what is to be the youngest deputy in the new European Parliament?

It is an honor and a great responsibility. I represent a generation of young people that still want to have a future on this planet. That want a world that is greener. I want to be the voice of my generation here in the European Parliament. To give young people a platform to make sure the voices of young Europeans are heard and that their concerns are reflected in our policies.

Why did you decide to enter politics?

I am an activist at heart and have been committed to environmental and climate protection for many years. I used to run the Fridays for Future movement in Austria. I protested with thousands of young people for our future. I occupied a construction site in Vienna. I literally sat there in the dirt in all weathers, day and night, and prevented the excavators from rolling in and digging a motorway tunnel through a nature reserve. But then I decided: I want to go where decisions about our future are made. Now I'm fighting for my beliefs in the European Parliament as an elected member.

What causes will you stand for? What will you fight for?

I will fight like a lion for climate justice, environmental justice and nature conservation. This task is more important - and also more challenging - than ever.

You are a climate activist. Climate change has cost the EUR 145 billion over a decade. It is already affecting Europe in various ways, depending on the region. What are the solutions? What must be the climate politics?

We need an ecological and social turnaround for everyone. It requires courage and determination to tirelessly advocate for climate protection. Nature conservation and climate protection must always go hand in hand, and the increasing extreme weather events and global heatwaves show that we have no time to lose.

What do you think about Greta Thunberg and her fight?

Greta Thunberg is an important activist for climate change and the founder of Fridays for Future, inspiring many young people worldwide to demand urgent environmental action. Nonetheless, someone who celebrates the October 7 attack on Israel must be criticized. All violence against the civilian population must always be condemned.

What do you think about the Green Deal?

The Green Deal is a significant achievement and our key to becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. When Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected Commission President, she made a clear commitment to continuing the Green Deal and reducing CO2 emissions by 2040. This is a promising start, and I will closely monitor her progress and hold her accountable if she fails to deliver on her promises. We have a long journey ahead. We will fight fiercely for climate justice, environmental justice, and nature conservation. This task is more important—and more challenging—than ever.

And what do you think about Austria`s veto for the Schengen entry of Bulgaria and Romania by land?

The Austrian Green Delegation in the European Parliament has always been very clear: the extension of the Schengen Agreement for Bulgaria and Romania is essential for cooperation and for further European integration.

For long years, your country has opposed the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria. Why?

Well, you must ask this question to the conservative party in Austria. The Greens do not support this veto. Bulgaria and Romania belong to Schengen.

How was your first day and plenary session in the EP?

Very exciting. I feel empowered for the next 5 years. It was also a great opportunity to meet all my colleagues and representatives from civil society. I want to be the voice of my generation in the European Parliament and provide young people with a platform. That's why I'm organizing a network with other young MEPs to advocate for the future of the youth and bring their wishes to the parliament. We have lost many young people to right-wing parties, so I have used the time in Strasbourg to network and forge plans for the future.

What do you think about your Bulgarian colleagues?

I have not yet met the Bulgarian MEPs. I will definitely not collaborate with the far-right Bulgarian MEPs.

Do you have plans to contact them and discuss Schengen?

I’m just beginning to connect with my colleagues and engage in committee work. Further collaboration may develop over time.