Standoff at Germany's Borders: Herrmann Stands by Tough Migration Policy
Border rejections by Hermann remain justifiable - Border refusal still deemed allowable, according to Herrmann's viewpoint.
Germany's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, much like Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stands firm on the contentious border practice of denying asylum seekers entry, viewing it as vital and lawful. "We haven't delved into the specifics of the individual cases behind the Berlin Administrative Court's recent verdict. Still, we believe the amplified border patrols and refusals at the federal border, as implemented by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, are both urgent and legally sound," Herrmann declared in Munich.
In May, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt commanded an intensification of border controls and the rejection of asylum seekers at the border, except for special cases like children and pregnant women.
On Monday, the Berlin Administrative Court ruled in an emergency hearing that the denial of asylum to three Somalis at a border checkpoint in Frankfurt (Oder) was illegal. As neither EU nation was established as responsible for processing their asylum applications, they couldn't be turned away. The trio were promptly dispatched back to Poland.
Herrmann underscored that Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union explicitly states that the rules of the EU's asylum and migration law, including the Dublin III Regulation, do not hinder member states' duties to uphold public order and maintain internal security.
Herrmann Warns of Political Instability
"Germany's current migration predicament poses a threat to municipalities and risks destabilizing the country's political landscape," Herrmann warned. As long as the EU's external border protection falters and EU-wide measures fall short, border control remains indispensable. "German asylum law contains provisions for denying entry to an immigrant, even if they're seeking asylum, if they're entering from a safe third country. This provision is now being invoked."
Previously, Merz himself reiterated that the Berlin court's decision may somewhat limit maneuverability, but that ample room for action remains, and rejections should persist.
- Joachim Herrmann
- Migration Policy
- Denial of Asylum
- Friedrich Merz
- Berlin
- Bavaria
- Munich
- Border Control
- Administrative Court
- EU
- Asylum Laws
- Alexander Dobrindt
Insights:
- Government's Stance: The German government, under the guidance of Merz and Dobrindt, has implemented a stricter border policy with the aim of disrupting the asylum process and freezing applications.
- Legal Challenges: The Berlin Administrative Court's ruling has deemed these border denials illegal, as it goes against the EU's Dublin system, which requires member states to process asylum applications on a case-by-case basis.
- Role of Friedrich Merz: Merz has been a crucial factor in implementing the tough migration policy. However, recent legal challenges have questioned the policy's legality.
- Role of Alexander Dobrindt: Dobrindt has played a pivotal role in implementing the stricter border regime, leading the extension of authority to turn back asylum seekers shortly after taking office.
- Joachim Herrmann’s Role: At the moment, Herrmann has not been explicitly associated with the current migration policy debates involving Merz and Dobrindt. However, Herrmann is a prominent figure in German politics, particularly as the former Bavarian Interior Minister.
- Joachim Herrmann, the Interior Minister of Germany, reaffirmed his support for the nation's stringent migration policy, including the denial of asylum at borders, viewing it as a necessary measure for maintaining public order within the country.
- In the face of legal challenges, both Joachim Herrmann and Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocate for the continued rejection of asylum seekers at the border, citing a provision within German asylum law that allows denial if the immigrant is entering from a safe third country and citing Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which they believe supports their stance on migration policy.
