Thuringia's Interior Minister, Georg Maier, from the SPD, is pushing for the construction of a new refugee reception center. He believes this should have been done years ago, but now that we've moved past the crisis mode, it's time to focus on building this new facility. This project is earmarked for the next legislative period, following the September 1, 2024, Thuringia state elections.
Likewise, Green parliamentary group leader Astrid Rothe-Beinlich has supported this idea as the existing state-owned refugee accommodations in Thuringia have been straining at the seams or even overcrowded for months. In fact, some refugees have been living in temporary emergency accommodation in Hermsdorf since October due to an outbreak of scabies, a skin disease caused by mites.
Maier admitted that the potential location for this new building is up for debate, with Suhl being a possibility but not the only option. He also suggested that the new facility should have more space than the current one to provide relief to local authorities. This would also help speed up immigration procedures by accommodating people who have little to no prospects of staying in Germany.
Recently, the Thuringian CDU parliamentary group proposed setting up deportation centers for migrants with minimal chances of staying in the country. Maier, however, criticized this plan, saying the CDU was merely seeking media attention and should prioritize humane treatment of refugees instead.
