As Germany Braces for Tough Migration Policy Debate
Contentious Debate on Immigration Policy Marks Initial Conflict between Black and Red Factions - Initial disagreement regarding border control and immigrant integration procedures
Thorsten Frei pointed his finger at the coalition agreement, which stated that repatriations should be carried out with the collaboration of neighboring nations. "That's exactly what's happening right now," he noted. As per European law, an asylum application should be filed on the first European soil a person sets foot on, which is hard to accomplish in Germany due to its geographical location.
Frei went on to say, "So, it's only natural that people come to Germany, but they have no right to do so." Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, representing the CSU, plans to amplify border controls and turn away individuals without valid entry papers.
Similarly, Dirk Wiese echoed the sentiment on RTL and ntv. He mentioned that no one wants to overstep boundaries and force legal proceedings. "New Interior Minister Dobrindt understands that too," Wiese stated. According to the Basic Law, anyone who comes to Germany with a potential asylum claim must have the chance to have it assessed. "That's what we agreed in the coalition agreement," Wiese added.
Just before taking his oath, Dobrindt publicized plans for stricter border controls and the repatriation of asylum seekers at Germany's external borders. The initial decisions on this matter were set for this Wednesday, as reported by "Bild am Sonntag."
See also: Merz Government's Migration and Border Control Agenda
According to Spiegel, the contingent of federal riot police at the border is expected to double to twelve hundred. Mobile control and surveillance units are to be added shortly, the magazine reports, though without citing sources. Officers in the border inspection units are to work twelve-hour shifts. The reinforcement appears to start by maintaining already stationed federal police officers. The ministry chose to neither confirm nor deny the report when asked.
Andreas Rosskopf, the chairman of the police union for the federal police, confirmed on Wednesday that there would be an "increase in forces at the borders" as per oral instruction. "The riot police will also grow with further strong forces at the borders," he told the 'Rhineland Post.' Furthermore, the border service stations have been instructed to adjust their duty plans as needed to increase availability.
The immigration policy shift represents a broader conservationist stance on immigration by the new government. While some consider these measures symbolic gestures, they reflect a hardline approach to migration policy, with an emphasis on order and security.
- The EC countries are closely watching Germany's debates on migration policy, particularly concerning repatriations and border controls, as stated in the coalition agreement.
- Thorsten Frei, noting the ongoing collaborations for repatriations with neighboring nations, mentioned the difficulty of filing asylum applications in Germany due to its geographical location.
- Dirk Wiese, speaking on RTL and ntv, emphasized the need for legal proceedings and the understanding of this requirement by the new Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt.
- According to reports, the contingent of federal riot police at the border is expected to double, along with the addition of mobile control and surveillance units, to enforce stricter border controls and repatriation of asylum seekers at Germany's external borders.
- Andreas Rosskopf, the chairman of the police union for the federal police, confirmed an increase in forces at the borders, as well as the growth of riot police, in line with the immigration policy shift advocated by the new government, reflecting a broader conservationist stance on immigration.
