Do, Nov 16th 2023
According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the controls introduced in October at Germany’s borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland will continue for a very long time.
The German government has received support from the federal states “that we will establish comprehensive control measures at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland in the near future and for a very long time, partly in cooperation with these countries on their territory”, Scholz said on Wednesday during questioning in the Bundestag.
These and other far-reaching measures were aimed at reducing the number of irregular migrants coming to Germany.
On Tuesday, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced a further 20-day extension of the stationary controls she had ordered on October 16 at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland.
Scholz went on to say that he assumes that the introduction of a payment card for asylum seekers, which was agreed at his meeting with the German prime ministers, will soon be implemented. He had heard from certain providers that they were prepared to make such a service available, “so it will probably happen quickly”.
After all, at the meeting with the heads of government on November 6, he had heard from all 16 federal states that they wanted to introduce such a payment card.
In future, people seeking protection should receive at least part of their benefits as credit on a payment card. This is intended to prevent transfers to the country of origin.
From Scholz’s point of view, it would be good if the draft law passed by the cabinet to improve repatriation could be discussed this year. “Much of this could have been done many years ago,” he added.
©Keystone/SDA
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