Migration Roundtable agrees further consultations
Published: Tuesday, Sep 3rd 2024, 19:20
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The traffic light coalition, the CDU/CSU and the federal states want to continue consultations on the topic of migration. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) stated this in a statement. "These were concentrated, open and constructive consultations. Now it is a matter of legally examining certain points that we discussed confidentially and then discussing them further. We have agreed on this." The meeting was scheduled as a confidential consultation; Faeser did not comment on the content of the meeting.
Participants talk about constructive discussions
"I am grateful for the serious and constructive discussion today," said Faeser. "We want to continue this exchange quickly." Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) also spoke of a good process. According to her, they want to meet again next week. She said she really hoped that broad measures could be agreed upon, "also with the broad support of all democratic forces".
Union representatives had made it clear before the meeting that the announcements made by the traffic light coalition last week, the so-called security package, did not go far enough. They insisted on limiting irregular migration.
The "security package"
Following the suspected Islamist-motivated knife attack in Solingen, the German government presented a "security package" at short notice, which it believed should form the basis of the meeting. It provides for measures in three areas: a tougher approach to returning rejected asylum seekers to their countries of origin, steps to combat Islamist terrorism more decisively and stricter gun laws.
It is envisaged, for example, that people seeking protection for whom another European country is responsible will no longer receive benefits in Germany - if this country is prepared to take them back (Dublin cases). A ban on switchblade knives and easier exclusion from protection in Germany for migrants who have committed a criminal offense are also planned. "We will present our draft bill quickly and discuss it quickly in parliament," announced Faeser.
Migration an issue in state elections
The CDU/CSU is trying to put pressure on the traffic light coalition, as is the AfD. Added to this are the election results in Saxony and Thuringia, where migration and internal security were important issues. The anti-immigration parties AfD and BSW were successful, while the traffic light parties were punished. Andrea Lindholz (CSU), deputy leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, warned ahead of the meeting on Tuesday: "We mustn't have the impression afterwards that this only happened because of the elections."
The traffic light coalition has already decided on several tightening measures, such as easing deportations at the beginning of the year. In addition, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) wants to present the results of a review into the question of whether asylum procedures in countries outside of Europe are possible by the end of the year.
After the federal-state round table, Faeser explained that the government's measures to limit irregular migration are working and that the course should be continued. "There are a fifth fewer asylum applications than in the previous year, a fifth more returns, more than 30,000 rejections at the German borders due to our internal border controls since October 2023. We have deported dangerous criminals to Afghanistan again for the first time."
The FDP had also called for further steps before the meeting. "We need a fundamental reorganization of migration policy," FDP Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai told the German Press Agency.
Concern at Pro Asyl
The Federal Government was represented at the meeting by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), among others. Hesse represented the CDU/CSU side and Lower Saxony the SPD side on behalf of the federal states. Representatives of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group included the First Parliamentary Secretary, Thorsten Frei (CDU). Members of parliament from the Ampel parliamentary groups were also represented.
The refugee organization Pro Asyl had expressed concern before the meeting and appealed to the federal government not to adopt any unlawful measures. "The CDU must fulfil its responsibility as a democratic party and must not further polarize the debate." The meeting must focus on measures that strengthen democracy and social cohesion and prevent radicalization towards Islamism or right-wing extremism.
©Keystone/SDA
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