Revamping Integration Strategy: CSU Proposes Tough Stance
In a shift towards more conservative integration policies, the CSU in Bavaria's legislature has put forth a demand for a reevaluation of integration practices in Germany. The party's position paper, recently shared with DPA in Munich, suggests several measures to combat Islamism, anti-Semitism, and reform the immigration policy.
Parliamentary group leader Klaus Holetschek emphasized the importance of rethinking integration, as recent events indicating a failure of the multi-cultural approach have revealed. The need for a comprehensive re-examination of migration policies transcends a simple 180-degree turnaround.
Key Proposals
The CSU's position paper spells out various proposals to strengthen contribution to assimilation in German society. This includes:
Embracing Dominant Culture
The draft asserts that incoming migrants must embrace and accept the dominant culture, which encompasses democracy, freedom, the rule of law, equal rights, tolerance, and Israel's right to exist.
Opposing Anti-Semitism
The CSU's paper presents a strong stance against anti-Semitism, advocating for harsh legislation to prevent anti-Semitic crimes from making German citizenship claimants. Measures include stripping dual-nationality criminals of their German citizenship and tightening regulations on public demonstrations that promote anti-Jewish sentiments.
Controlling Immigration
CSU seeks to have a more tailored approach to immigration numbers, striving for sufficient capacity while ensuring high acceptance levels for assistance and accommodation. Concurrently, the party aims to curtail illegal migration through robust enforcement measures.
Targeted Language Support
Foreign children living in Germany would benefit from specific language support and value education outside of schools. Moreover, parents are encouraged to speak German at home and foster a sense of German culture inside the household.
Research Collaboration
The CSU plans to collaborate with extremism researcher Ahmad Mansour to discuss their integration policy recommendations, accentuating the necessity of migrants understanding and accepting Germany's dominant culture.
Competing Perspectives and Discord
While certain populist and right-wing parties argue that these policies are essential to mitigate extremist views and strengthen social harmony, others attack the CSU proposals for being discriminatory or infringing upon the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of immigrants. The tension between the two perspectives is expected to persist while Germany continues to grapple with integration challenges.
Enrichment Data:
The CSU's integration policy proposals cover multiple areas, including:
Legal Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism
- Punishment for supporting terrorism and anti-Semitic mosques: Close anti-Semitic mosques and take legal action against those who support terrorism[1]
- Preventing foreign financing: Prohibit foreign funding for mosques and cultural institutions to limit propaganda dissemination from foreign dictatorships[1]
Immigration Restrictions
- Revision of asylum rights: Modify the constitutional right to asylum to restrict the entry of asylum seekers[1]
- Limit family reunification: Suspend family reunifications for those granted subsidiary protection[1]
- Increase border rejections: Strengthen border controls to reduce asylum seekers from entering Europe through other EU member states[1]
Integration Measures
- Grand German citizenship after 8 years of integrated living: Grant citizenship once the individual has demonstrated eight years of successful integration and no criminal past[1]
- Immediate deportation for foreign criminals: Expedite deportation or place foreign criminals in indefinite detention before their departure[1]
- Military conscription designation: Encourage voluntary or mandatory military service as an integration tool for immigrants[2]
These proposals reflect the CSU's position of stricter immigration control and enforcement of integration policies to manage the influx of refugees and migrants into Germany.
