SVP and FDP sharply criticize choice of new SEM chief
Published: Wednesday, Oct 16th 2024, 16:40
Back to Live Feed
On Wednesday, the SVP and FDP sharply criticized the election of Vincenzo Mascioli as the new head of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). The previous SEM deputy director stands for Switzerland's failed asylum policy.
SP Federal Councillor Beat Jans has chosen Mascioli, a close confidant of former SP Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, noted the FDP. This would indicate a continuation of the failed asylum policy.
However, "carrying on like this" is not an option, "because it would turn Switzerland into a magnet for illegal migration and significantly exacerbate the existing problems". What is needed now is clear tightening in line with the FDP principle: "tough but fair". Illegal migration must be stopped and Switzerland must be protected.
The FDP will present a position paper with concrete solutions for curbing illegal migration at its delegates' meeting in Tenero TI on Saturday.
"The choice of Mascioli is the wrong choice," explained SVP spokesperson Andrea Sommer on request. Mascioli has been responsible for Switzerland's repatriation policy as SEM deputy director for several years. During this time, the number of returns had fallen instead of rising.
The current asylum policy is not in the interests of the Swiss population. There is an urgent need to tighten up the asylum system, for example "against the rampant asylum abuse and exploding asylum-related crime".
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic