States seek clarification from Scholz on refugee matters and mandatory insurance policies.
The Federal Interior Ministry sought advice from specialists for a joint meeting among states on outsourcing asylum processes to foreign countries. The proposals of Great Britain for asylum processing in eastern African Rwanda and Italy's agreement on asylum processing in Albania were used as reference points. The majority of experts voiced doubt about the feasibility for Germany, citing numerous legal and practical hurdles.
The states reached a consensus on a resolution concerning asylum processing in foreign countries, as per Hessian Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU), who is currently chairing the Minister Presidents' Conference (MPK). The federal government was strongly encouraged to address the issue.
The SPD faction, led by Lower Saxony Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD), expressed more caution. The experts consulted by the Federal Interior Ministry had pointed out a multitude of issues, according to Weil during a joint press statement with Rhein. A thorough examination was necessary. Weil cautioned against viewing the outsourcing of asylum processes to foreign countries as the "panacea" for all problems.
Bremen's SPD Prime Minister Andreas Bovenschulte also expressed skepticism. He told ARD's "Morgenmagazin" that asylum processing in foreign countries outside the EU was not effective in managing migration. This concept had been under discussion for years, but it hadn't been implemented successfully in Europe to date.
Previously, several Union Minister-Presidents had pressured the federal government to address asylum processing in foreign countries. The Bund should "finally get involved in the third country solution with reception centers in other states", said Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) to the "Augsburger Allgemeine". He urged Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) to engage in negotiations with Albania, similar to Italy's approach.
Regarding the refugee card, the ministers and presidents supported a proposal from Hesse and Lower Saxony that refugees would only be allowed to withdraw a maximum of 50 euros in cash from the card in the future. The card had been a contentious issue for some time. The Bundestag and Bundesrat passed the legal framework for its introduction in April.
At the delayed meeting with Scholz in the Chancellery due to prolonged state consultations, the states also intended to put forth their demand for a mandatory insurance for property damage. Rhein stated that a voluntary insurance would not resolve the issues. He anticipated intense discussions with the federal government. The federal states were "unanimous" that a mandatory insurance was necessary.
A mandatory insurance against property damage has been a topic of debate for years. The flood disaster in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in early June reignited the debate.
Even significant parts of the traffic light coalition back the mandatory insurance - the FDP does not. Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) reaffirmed his opposition on Wednesday, citing more bureaucracy and increased costs for many people. He proposed instead an offer obligation for insurers. Affected parties could then opt to conclude or waive the insurance.
