- Controversy over rising spending on asylum seekers
Rising expenses for asylum-seeker benefits are also sparking a contentious debate in Saxony. As revealed by a parliamentary inquiry by BSW politician Sahra Wagenknecht, net expenses in the Free State last year amounted to around 512 million euros, marking an 84 percent increase from 2021, when they stood at 278 million euros, and reaching 450 million euros in 2022. This has led to differing reactions in politics.
Wagenknecht: "Refugee numbers must come down"
"The uncontrolled migration is causing asylum costs to skyrocket and has long exceeded the financial capacities of the state. The fact that Saxony has to spend almost twice as much on asylum-seeker benefits as in 2021 is an unsustainable situation. The refugee numbers must come down," Wagenknecht told the German Press Agency. She argued that those whose asylum applications are rejected and do not receive protection status should no longer be entitled to the same benefits.
"The current rules are actually encouraging refugees to come to Germany, as there is virtually no difference here compared to most other EU countries between those recognized as entitled to protection and those who are not. Instead of spending more money on asylum benefits, more funds should be invested in Saxon schools," explained Wagenknecht.
Similarly, Michael Kretschmer (CDU) also says: "Refugee numbers must come down"
The AfD has repeatedly expressed similar views, and calls for a limit on migration have grown louder within the ranks of Saxony's CDU. In a recent interview, Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) stated that "the refugee number must come down for the coming years. We can only take in as many people as we can integrate."
The Left party in the Saxon state parliament pointed out that the numbers for taking in refugees have also doubled between 2021 and 2023. However, Juliane Nagel, an MP, told the dpa that "the number of asylum-seekers in the first half of 2024 has decreased by more than half compared to the previous year. It's no surprise that state expenses grow with the intake numbers."
This is partly due to the Free State providing more support to municipalities for integration by passing on additional federal funds, and also providing more money for Ukrainian war victims.
Left: "We want open borders for people in need"
"Our goal is also to make refugees independent of social benefits as quickly as possible. Then the expenses will pay off quickly," Nagel emphasized. Many refugees are not allowed to work for a long time, do not get a place in language courses, and often work below their qualifications.
"This means the state also misses out on tax revenues. Our society is dependent on workers and skilled professionals. The people who have fled to us are a huge potential that is much too little tapped into." The authorities should use their scope to open up prospects for staying.
"We want open borders for people in distress. If we've learned anything from two devastating world wars, it's that people must have the opportunity to flee when war or persecution threatens them," said Nagel. This is indispensable for a civilized society. "Migration cannot be prevented by any policy in the world. However, it also causes fears in some people in Saxony, especially when personal experiences are lacking. We acknowledge this and call for a factual, solution-oriented discussion."
Wagenknecht and Kretschmer both advocate for a decrease in refugee numbers, with Wagenknecht suggesting that those whose asylum applications are rejected should no longer receive the same benefits, and Kretschmer stating that Saxony can only integrate a certain number of people. The BSW politician, Sahra Wagenknecht, highlighted the significant increase in asylum-seeker expenses in Saxony, citing the BSW's parliamentary inquiry.
