Federal and state governments reach agreement on financing migration costs
Published: Tuesday, Nov 7th 2023, 05:11
Updated At: Wednesday, Nov 8th 2023, 00:53
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After months of dispute, the federal and state governments have reached an agreement on the distribution of refugee costs and agreed on measures to reduce irregular migration to Germany. The agreement also includes restrictions on benefits for asylum seekers. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) spoke of a "very historic moment" early on Tuesday morning after almost nine hours of consultations with the heads of state governments. Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein (CDU) emphasized that they had taken a step in the right direction. "However, it is also clear that a path consists of many steps and that further steps must of course follow."
Scholz said that all levels of government had succeeded in working closely together. "And that is also necessary, the citizens expect us to do that." Lower Saxony's Minister President Stephan Weil (SPD) assured that in the end they had managed to "really achieve a good overall result".
He hoped that this would now be supplemented by an agreement between the federal government and the CDU/CSU. The decision by the federal and state governments offered "a very good basis" for this. The fact that an agreement had also been reached on the controversial funding issue was uncertain until early this morning and could not be taken for granted.
Funding of refugee costs to be changed
The federal and state governments have agreed on a change to the system for financing refugee costs. From next year, the federal government will pay an annual lump sum of 7500 euros for each first-time asylum seeker and no longer a total annual sum of around 3.7 billion euros. Scholz spoke of the "transition to a breathing system" and explained: "With rising numbers there is more money, with falling numbers there is less."
Hesse's Minister President Rhein explained that the federal states could always imagine receiving even more money from the federal government. He explained that, together with relief measures, this amounted to a total of around 3.5 billion euros for the local authorities. It had been possible to "prove our ability to act here".
Weil calculated that the federal government had wanted to give 1.2 billion euros for the coming year, while the federal states would have preferred 5 billion euros. "The fact that we have managed to meet pretty much exactly in the middle under these conditions is really worth an exclamation mark at this early hour of the morning." For the municipalities, there will even be "a significant additional reimbursement amount" in 2024 because the 3.7 billion euros for this year includes a special payment for Ukraine refugees, which has to be deducted.
Reduction in the number of asylum seekers
The federal and state governments stated that too many people were currently fleeing to Germany. "Clear and targeted measures against uncontrolled immigration" are therefore necessary. The federal government wants to examine whether asylum procedures outside of Europe are possible. Asylum procedures are to be processed faster than before, with the federal and state governments setting new targets. In particular, asylum procedures for people from countries with a recognition rate of less than five percent should be completed within three months. The controls that Germany currently carries out at its borders with Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria are to be maintained. Asylum seekers in Germany are to receive at least part of their benefits as credit on a payment card in future.
Benefit cuts for asylum seekers
In future, only basic benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act will be paid for 36 months rather than just 18 months if procedures drag on. Currently, asylum seekers are entitled to a roof over their heads as well as food, clothing, healthcare and consumer goods for one and a half years. Instead of such benefits in kind, vouchers or cash benefits are also provided in some cases. After 18 months, the rates rise to approximately the same level as regular social assistance. In future, this step is to take place later, which effectively means a reduction in state benefits.
Dispute in the Minister Presidents' Round Table over additional demands
Before the start of the meeting in the Chancellery, there had been a dispute between the state premiers on the issue of migration. The CDU/CSU-led states and the Green-led state of Baden-Württemberg took the SPD side by surprise with a catalog of new demands. Among other things, they backed a proposal by NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) to allow asylum procedures outside of Europe. The federal government now wants to examine this - a step that the SPD, Greens and FDP had already agreed to in the coalition agreement.
The deliberations dragged on for three hours longer than originally planned. They were "not really refreshing", said an annoyed Weil afterwards.
Commission agreed for better management
The federal and state governments have decided to set up a commission to better manage migration. A broad social alliance is to be formed to jointly develop solutions for managing migration and improving integration with the aim of preserving social peace. This could include, for example, churches and trade unions, scientists and also representatives of organizations that support the interests of asylum seekers.
Agreement on planning acceleration
In contrast to the migration issue, the federal and state governments came together very quickly to speed up planning and approval procedures. This should ensure that wind turbines, power lines, railroad lines, housing and mobile phone masts are built more easily and quickly. In addition, bureaucratic and legal hurdles are to be removed. According to Scholz, the package comprises around 100 individual regulations. Further simplifications in the healthcare sector and for the hydrogen industry should follow, the Chancellor announced. According to the Chancellor's Office, the package should be the centerpiece of the Germany Pact promoted by Scholz.
In recent decades, the federal and state governments have invented more and more slowing regulations "with great love and affection", said Scholz. Now it is a matter of "not one more politician saying that everything should speed up, but that it actually happens". However, environmental associations fear that the acceleration will be at the expense of nature. The adopted measures promise speed through the one-sided reduction of environmental standards, criticized the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union Germany. "This will jeopardize many of the environmental protection achievements of recent decades."
Further steps to secure the Deutschlandticket
The federal and state governments have agreed on further steps to finance the Deutschlandticket for local public transport. Funds not used this year are to be used in 2024 to compensate for financial disadvantages resulting from the ticket. In addition, the transport ministers are to be instructed to present a concept for the continuation of the ticket from 2024. The price of 49 euros per month, which was described as an "introductory price" from the outset, will also come under scrutiny.
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