Spanish President Pedro Sánchez was booed during a far-right French event led by Marine Le Pen. Attendees showed their rejection of the Spanish government's immigration policies, reflecting the growing tension in Europe on this issue. The incident highlights the political polarization on the continent.
The immigration control technology that divides Europe 🤖
Artificial intelligence systems for border surveillance, such as the Eurosur program, spark debate. While Spain bets on biometric entry registration, France tests reconnaissance drones in Calais. Both solutions clash with data protection laws and human rights. The lack of a common technical standard causes lack of coordination and cross-criticism between neighboring countries.
Sánchez learns that in France, boos don't carry VAT 🥖
The president discovered that crossing the border to give a rally has risks: you get booed in French, which sounds more refined than in Spanish. At least they didn't throw industrial pastries at him, although Le Pen may have considered that the daily bread is given to him by his voters. Sánchez returns home with a new record: being whistled in two languages in less than an hour.