Greens adopt election manifesto: No changes on asylum

The Greens' EU Election Manifesto: Focus on Social Standards, Human Rights, Yet Not on Asylum Changes

At their recent party convention, the Greens unveiled their European election manifesto, prioritizing social standards and human rights. However, proposals challenging Germany's stance on asylum reform failed to gain majority support. In social policy, the Greens look to establish EU-wide wage standards, strengthen trade unions, and combat exploitation (DPA, 2022).

Despite a lack of changes on asylum policy, the Greens' manifesto contains unique migration-related proposals contrasting with the German government's approach. Several key points you should know include:

1. Anti-Racism Directive:
2. The Greens push to re-activate the Anti-Racism Directive, aiming for its adoption and implementation within the current mandate. However, the German government favors tightening asylum laws, potentially breaching EU regulations (Enrichment Data).
3. Border Controls and EU Sovereignty:
4. Opposing border check reinstatement and emphasizing EU sovereignty and free movement, the Greens champion an open and inclusive approach. In contrast, the German administration, led by Friedrich Merz, proposes reinstating border controls and stricter asylum policies (Enrichment Data).
5. Asylum Seeker Treatment:
6. The Greens stress the importance of welcoming migrants and immigrants, promoting a human rights-based approach. They advocate for providing migrants and refugees with humanitarian alternatives and protecting their rights according to international law. This stance differs from the German government’s proposals, which include enacting a “de facto entry ban” for asylum seekers lacking valid documents and pushing for stricter deportation policies (Enrichment Data).
7. Support for ARAP and ARDI:
8. The Greens commit to the meaningful implementation of the Anti-Racism Action Plan (ARAP) and offering long-term political, financial, and organizational support to the European Parliament Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI). The German government focuses on tightening asylum laws, potentially undermining EU asylum regulations (Enrichment Data).
9. Climate Racism and Extractivism:
10. The Greens raise awareness on climate racism and extractivism, recognizing that marginalized and minority communities are disproportionately affected by climate change. This includes advocating for the establishment of the “Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage,” not mentioned in the German government’s proposals (Enrichment Data).
11. Transitional and Reparatory Justice:
12. The Greens seek to address the historical injustices perpetrated by European nations on their colonies and territories. Emphasizing transitional and reparatory justice, the party hopes to rectify these issues (Enrichment Data).

These contrasting positions demonstrate distinct approaches to migration and asylum policies by the European Greens and Germany's governing administration. Whereas the Greens promote a more inclusive, human rights-based approach, the German government advocates for stricter border controls and potential EU asylum regulation breaches.