CDU wants to stop state programs for refugees
The opposition CDU parliamentary group has called on the state government to end Thuringia's voluntary state reception programs for refugees. This would ease the burden on local authorities, which are often stretched to the limit when it comes to accommodating people from abroad, explained the CDU parliamentary group's spokesperson on migration policy, Stefan Schard, in the state parliament in Erfurt on Friday. In addition, people with little prospect of staying should not be distributed to the municipalities in the first place.
"Trust in the government's refugee management has been used up," said Schard. Thuringia has its own state reception programs for people from Afghanistan and Syria. As a rule, this involves family reunification. One of the prerequisites for this is that relatives in Thuringia or third parties submit a declaration of commitment for five years to cover the cost of living, with the exception of sickness benefits.
Green MP Madeleine Henfling pointed out that 281 people seeking protection from Afghanistan were admitted to Thuringia via the program in 2021. "Since then, there have been two more." The reason is that people are no longer coming out of Afghanistan. Between January and September of this year, 640 visa applications were submitted by Syrians. Left-wing MP Katharina König-Preuss accused the CDU of conducting a racist debate.
The Thuringian state parliament had discussed various aspects of migration policy several times in its November session since Wednesday.
The CDU's proposal to halt state programs for refugees in Thuringia could potentially impact migration patterns, as Lesser-prospect individuals might need to seek opportunities in other regions. The Parliamentary group's stance on migration policy echoes their concerns about the strain on local authorities due to refugee accommodations.
Source: www.dpa.com
