More than an hour after the decision of the JAI Council that Romania will continue to remain outside the Schengen area, President Klaus Iohannis has no public reaction. The first reactions came from the leaders of UDMR Kelemen Hunor, PSD Marcel Čolaka and USR Katalin Drul.

Romania, which has been waiting for 11 years to join Schengen, this time is not included in the European free movement zone, although it had the support of 26 EU countries. Austria managed to block a favorable decision in the Council of the CIS, since unanimity is required to join Schengen.

It was joined by the Netherlands on the condition that they oppose the accession of Bulgaria, and the vote was cast “together with Romania”.

The decision was announced “according to sources” around 3:30 p.m., and officially by 4:00 p.m., European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson.

President Klaus Iohannis has not yet publicly reacted.

The government announced that “Prime Minister Nicolae Chuke will shortly make a statement to the press at Victoria Palace.” It was later announced at 5:00 p.m.

The first reactions came from the leaders of UDMR Kelemen Hunor, PSD Marcel Čolaka and USR Katalin Drul.

Marcel Cholaku, reaction on Facebook:

• “Austria’s dishonest opposition is a free Christmas gift for Vladimir Putin. Today, European unity and stability have received a heavy blow from a state that, in difficult times, decided to leave its European comrades and instead serve the interests of Russia.
• It is clear that Austria broke away from Europe. Austria will definitely have consequences after this absurd vote! European states will not forget that today’s decision of the right-wing Austrian government has serious consequences for the European future.”

Kelemen Hunor:

• “Terrible decision! Today, the European Council of Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs (JAI) rejected Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. Austria’s veto is a wrong, immoral attitude, devoid of valid arguments, which demonstrates a pathetic political game (…)
• A deplorable decision against every Romanian citizen, against all Romanian communities, against common sense, against the laws regulating freedom of movement in the European Union.”

Catalin Drula:

• “Romanians deserve to join Schengen. They have earned this right through hard work and seriousness. The position of the Austrian government will go down in history as an act of discrimination. The position of the EPP, the European party to which Klaus Iohannis and the PNL belong, is also unclear.
• Yesterday, the head of the EPP stood side by side with the Austrian chancellor, explaining how he is denying us legal rights for reasons unrelated to Romania.
• Today should also be a moment of reflection for the old political class. It should reflect how Romania is perceived and treated abroad (…).
• For the injustice Romanians suffer today, there are also national responsibilities that must be taken upon.
• Lucian Bode should resign because of this failure.
• As for Klaus Iohannis, the head of Romania’s foreign policy, this infamous day finally cemented his empty presidential mandates.”