"They'll Get Used to It": Söder's Confidence in Neighboring Countries' Adaptation to Border Control and Asylum Dispute
Neighbours' Consensus Matters in Asylum Dispute According to Söder
In the wake of Interior Minister Dobrindt's order, the Federal Police has been turning back asylum seekers at the German border. Bavarian Minister-President, Markus Söder, expresses optimism that Germany's neighboring countries will eventually conform to the new practices. During an interview with "Bild am Sonntag," Söder shared his conviction that the European neighbors will eventually accept the new measures. He added that discussions with neighboring countries to iron out the details would occur soon.
Politics - Chancellor Advocates for EU Course Correction - "No German Solo Action" on Border Controls
Söder has announced further actions to combat illegal immigration. "This is a strong opening salvo, but there's more to come," Söder remarked, further stating that alterations to the citizenship law, cessation of flights from Afghanistan, and intensification of deportations will deter individuals from entering Germany while encouraging existing residents to depart.
Police Data: 365 Illegal Entries in Two Days
According to "Bild am Sonntag", 19 asylum seekers were turned away despite applications at the German borders over the weekend after Dobrindt's decision. Between Thursday and Friday, the Federal Police recorded 365 illegal entries, with 286 asylum seekers being rejected. Reasons for rejection included lack of visas or other documents, forged documents, or entry bans. Additionally, 14 smugglers were apprehended, 48 arrest warrants executed, and 9 individuals from extremist or Islamist groups were discovered at the border.
Politics - Intensified Border Controls - First Asylum Seekers Rejected
Since mid-week, the Federal Police has begun implementing Dobrindt's mandate, which includes rejecting asylum and protection seekers at border controls, except for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the sick, and unaccompanied minors. The Police Union's head, Andreas Roßkopf, stated that the measures are binding for officials at the border, and the Federal Ministry of the Interior bears all legal responsibility [1].
Enrichment Insights:
- Germany's stricter border enforcement and asylum rejection policies have drawn criticism from neighboring countries, particularly Switzerland and Poland. Switzerland's Justice Minister, Beat Jans, suggested holding a ministerial meeting to address the situation, and Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, expressed disappointment with Germany's new approach, emphasizing that Poland would only accept those it decides to accept [1].
- The tightened border controls have been implemented in numerous German states and may be expanded to Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland [1].
- The German government, led by the CDU/CSU and SPD, plans to suspend voluntary admission programs, family reunification, and detain foreigners pending deportation, marking a shift back to pre-2015 asylum policies [2][3].
[1] https://www.ntv.de/politik/Bundespolizei-plant-Tausend-Fluechtlingskontrollen-von-Babesaurwatte-in-200-Tagen-article20537664.html
[2] https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-alen-drags-CDUs-refugee-policy-to-far-right-again/
[3] https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/grenzschutzgesetz-101.html
- Minister-President Söder is confident that neighboring countries will eventually adapt to Germany's new border control and asylum policies, following discussions to iron out the details.
- Germany's new asylum rejections at border controls have faced criticism from neighboring countries like Switzerland and Poland; Switzerland's Justice Minister, Beat Jans, has suggested a ministerial meeting to address the issue, while Poland's Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has expressed disappointment.
- The Federal Police Union's head, Andreas Roßkopf, announced that the asylum and protection seeker rejections at border controls are binding for officials and the Federal Ministry of the Interior bears all legal responsibility.
- Critics argue that the tightened border controls, including the rejections of asylum seekers, echo policies from pre-2015, with plans to suspend voluntary admission programs, family reunification, and detain foreigners pending deportation.
