"They'll understandingly accept it" – Söder is optimistic about European neighbors' stance on tightened asylum controls
Neighbors' Consensus is Supported by Söder in Asylum Dispute
In the aftermath of Interior Minister Dobrindt's directive, the German border police have started turning away asylum seekers as per the new policy. Bavarian Minister-President Söder stays confident that Germany's neighboring nations will acquiesce to the novel approach. Söder reveals additional measures.
CSU leader Markus Söder anticipates no strong opposition from Germany's neighboring states toward the fortified border checks and turnaways. "I am convinced that the European neighbors will eventually understand it," the Bavarian Minister-President informed "Bild am Sonntag". "We will have conversations with our counterparts about the particulars as soon as possible."
Political Discourse: Due Diligence needed, No Solitary German Action
Chancellor Merz demands a correction in the EU's path, while Merz declares, "No lone German actions" in border enforcement. Söder discloses further strategies against illegal immigration. "This is a significant step, but there's more to come," Söder stated. "In addition to amendments in citizenship law, flights from Afghanistan will cease. Deportations will be intensified through expulsions and expanding safe countries of origin," Söder added. This move aims to discourage people from coming to Germany and incentivize others to depart.
Police: 365 illegal entries within 2 days
According to "Bild am Sonntag's" report, 19 refugees were denied asylum at the German border despite applications on Thursday and Friday following Dobrindt's decision. On both days, the Federal Police documented 365 unauthorized entries. In total, 286 migrants were turned back. Key reasons included lack of visas or other documents, falsified documents, or entry bans, along with the arrest of 14 smugglers, the execution of 48 open arrest warrants, and capturing 9 individuals from extremist or Islamist circles at the border.
Political Landscape: Initial Reprieves, Tightened Controls
Police announced Dobrindt's mandate for the Federal Police to reject asylum seekers at border checks since mid-week. The head of the Police Union, Andreas Roßkopf, confirmed to "Bild": "Our colleagues will turn away every asylum and protection seeker, except pregnant women, the sick, and unaccompanied minors." The directive from the Federal Interior Minister is binding for border officers, and the legal accountability for the actions lies solely with the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
People and Places: Germany, Europe, Asylum Policy, Asylum Seekers, Federal Police, Alexander Dobrindt
In the heart of Europe, asylum policies have been a contentious topic, and Germany's neighboring nations have expressed concerns over the tightened controls and asylum seeker turnaways. The German government's new measures aim to protect its borders and stem the flow of irregular migrants. The approach has sparked debate and apprehension within and outside of the country, with neighboring nations and refugee advocates viewing the policy as potentially undermining asylum protections and adding stress to border countries. While the European partners' responses have not been detailed, their criticisms reflect anxieties about the humanitarian and legal implications of the policy shift.
- Bavarian Minister-President Söder expects the European neighbors to understand and accept the fortified border controls and turnaways due to conversations with counterparts about the details as soon as possible.
- Chancellor Merz advocates for a revision in the EU's path and declares that no single German action should be taken in border enforcement.
- Söder reveals additional strategies against illegal immigration, which include amendments in citizenship law, ceased flights from Afghanistan, intensified deportations, and expanding safe countries of origin.
- The German border police reject asylum seekers as per the new policy and documents 365 unauthorized entries within two days, with reasons including lack of visas, falsified documents, or entry bans, and the arrest of 14 smugglers.
