Is it to ban the red Santa Claus?

It is truly delightful that Sigurður Ingi's thunderous speech in the leadership debate on RÚV has awakened people to consider where the discussion on foreign affairs has reached, as everything is mixed together.

Framsókn supporters all over the country have had great concerns about the increasing demands of the Independence Party regarding this field, the segregation of children in schools, and refugee camps. It is as if there is some competition with the Centre Party, which topped the nonsense precisely in the much-discussed episode with the words that we "should not help the Russians empty Ukraine," I understand well that Sigurður Ingi's patience burst.

Additionally, we've observed that the People's Party has hinted at locking down the borders and that we completely back away from receiving people in need. Similarly, the flirtation of the Social Democratic Alliance and Kristrún Frostadóttir with increased demands has surprised us.

A small problem in the bigger context

To keep the record straight, Framsókn supporters are not talking about opening the borders wide or offering any discount on security and law enforcement in the country, nor not emphasizing Icelandic teaching and the nation's culture. Far from it. It is more urgent now than often before to increase law enforcement and strengthen border surveillance. In this task, we must not waste any time.

25% of the nation are either immigrants or Icelandic citizens who are descendants of immigrants to some extent. The fact remains that 98% of those who have arrived in the country in recent years are people from Europe who come here to work through the EEA agreement, and then there are 2% who come from war-torn areas. The fact is that only 0.24% are arriving from elsewhere. Part of those not coming from Europe through the EEA or from Ukraine are people who, for example, marry into the country and come from places like the United States, Argentina, the Philippines, and Australia, just to name a few.

We need to respond, when necessary

The seriousness of the discussion, which has been allowed to grow unchecked, lies in placing everyone under the same hat and talking about some grand immigration problem. We are no longer willing to accept that this large group is marginalized in Icelandic society and talked about as some problem. We need to differentiate the discussion. We need to respond where there is a need. It does not apply to the 98% who have arrived here in recent years, are working, and contribute taxes and fees to the community. It does not apply to those who have come from war-torn areas and whom the Icelandic parliament unanimously agreed to open the borders for, just as our neighbouring countries did.

We need to address the challenges in our asylum system, but following new legislation, the expenses in that field have gone from ISK 28 billion per year to ISK 14 billion, are declining rapidly and applications have decreased significantly.

We should have control over our borders, not close them. We should welcome people from war-torn countries, especially children and their parents who long for peace. We should give all children the opportunity to learn the language, make friends, and become part of the community, not separate them from "our" children as if they were not worthy to be with "our" children.

Other cultures

The thunderous speech of Sigurður Ingi did not fall from the heavens, but it reflects growing concerns among Framsókn supporters about the societal discussion. While other parties have not wanted to support us in allocating more funds to the culture and language of the Icelandic nation, they have been very concerned about the "mixing of cultures," whatever that is supposed to mean. Let's remember that we are a nation of immigrants from the Nordic countries, the UK, and Ireland. The cooperative heart of Framsókn supporters beats with the nation's culture, but just as we have our traditional Christmas figures, Gryla and Leppalúði, we have also embraced the red Santa Claus. Indeed, just as cultural streams flow around the world and enrich our lives, people come to Iceland, too, enriching our culture and life.

Just as it does not occur to us to ban the red Santa Claus, it should not occur to us to ban people of foreign origin from coming and enjoying life in Iceland. Isn't it best to live in Iceland? In recent years, Icelanders have also returned home in greater numbers than those who leave the country, and that surely tells us something.

There is no immigration problem in Iceland, but rather an opportunity to grow as a nation in wealth and culture.

Stefán Vagn Stefánsson, Member of Parliament and leader of Framsókn in the Northwest constituency

The article was first published on visir.is on 6 November 2024.