In the aftermath of the tragic knife attack in Solingen that left three dead and eight injured, several politicians in Brandenburg have advocated for a more balanced discussion. Brandenburg's Minister President, Dietmar Woidke (SPD), urged consistency in enforcing current expulsion measures and swift conclusions from the incident.
The attack revived the debate on immigration policy and expulsions, as the 26-year-old Syrian suspect, due for expulsion to Bulgaria, remained in Germany. The Left Party's chairman, Sebastian Walter, emphasized a focus on extremism and integration rather than immigration policy, arguing that weapon-free zones lack effectiveness in deterring criminals.
Antje Tóth, the Green Party's lead candidate for the state election, stressed the necessity of finding solutions consistent with the Basic Law, diverting from populism. Her colleague, Benjamin Raschke, called for stricter knife legislation.
The Refugee Council advised against debating refugees at a cost, emphasizing faith in the legal system and the need for politics to consider the practicalities for the majority.
The attack sparked a range of political responses:
- CDU and CSU (led by Friedrich Merz) advocated for stricter border controls, entry bans, and increased incarceration capacity for illegal immigrants, with daily deportations.
- The AfD, with co-chair Alice Weidel, supported Merz's demands, urging border closures and stricter deportation measures.
- The SPD, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, criticized the handling of asylum applications and the failure to deport suspects, calling for a more efficient system.
- Bavaria's leadership, led by Markus Söder and Joachim Herrmann, blamed the federal government for the deportation order delays and resulting failure to expel the suspect.
- The Green Party, led by Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, called for a self-critical evaluation of administrative bodies and the necessity of preventing similar incidents in the future.
However, these proposed measures face legal challenges, as Germany is part of the Schengen zone, and border checks can only be implemented in exceptional circumstances. Implementing permanent border checks, entry bans, or daily deportations may conflict with EU law, as per the Dublin III Regulation.
