Revised Article:
Tamara Zieschang, Interior Minister of Saxony-Anhalt (CDU), isn't content with the government's proposed tightening of asylum policies, deeming them not tough enough. The package, although boasting effective individual measures, falls short in a crucial area, she claimed to MDR. Zieschang strongly advocates for reducing irregular migration, but laments the lack of concrete proposals in this regard.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, alongside Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, both from the SPD, unveiled measures to combat Islamic terrorism, manage irregular migration, and fortify gun laws in response to the knife attack in Solingen that left three dead and eight injured. Part of these measures include expediting the deportation of convicted criminals and implementing a general knife ban on long-distance trains, festivals, and large events. The first deportation flight to Afghanistan since the Taliban took power in 2021 was initiated this past Friday morning.
Zieschang's stance: "Restrict Immigration"
Zieschang urged the Commission to reassess the situations in Syria and Afghanistan. These two nations are primary sources of most immigrants. She questioned whether there's a general assumption of persecution and danger in the entire region, and suggested that each region in Afghanistan and Syria must be independently evaluated to determine if this assumption hold true. If confirmed, these findings might significantly reduce immigration.
The Commission should reassess the situations in Syria and Afghanistan, as recommended by Zieschang, since it could potentially reduce immigration from these countries. Despite the Commission's measures to address irregular migration, Zieschang calls for stronger actions from the federal government to effectively tackle this issue.
In line with Zieschang's sentiments, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has put forth several proposals to decrease immigration from Syria and Afghanistan:
- Border Control: The AfD advocates for permanent border checks and potentially rejecting some asylum seekers on arrival.
- Rejection at the Border: The party has proposed turning back anyone attempting to enter the country without the appropriate documents, including asylum seekers.
- Deportation of Criminal Offenders: The AfD supports the deportation of criminal offenders, a stance shared by Chancellor Scholz but with more stringent measures.
- Remigration: The AfD's rhetoric includes calls for "remigration," which some perceive as mass deportation of foreigners. However, the party denies these intentions are racist.
- Integration and Work Expectations: The AfD emphasizes the need for asylum seekers to integrate and work, suggesting that those who do not make an effort to do so should be addressed.
Saxony-Anhalt's asylum policies differ from the AfD's maximalist demands, such as the pushback of all asylum-seekers at the borders, which are incompatible with the German constitution and EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The AfD's rhetoric can be more extreme than the practical policies proposed by other parties in Saxony-Anhalt, with more nuanced approaches to integration and asylum processing.
