- Examine for potential elements enhancing safety in relation to Axe.
Recent terror incident, reportedly carried out by an extremist immigrant, has sparked political turmoil. Following the tragic deaths of three individuals in Solingen, there's a growing emphasis on practical methods to deter unlawful immigration. SPD chairperson Lars Klingbeil told "Rheinische Post" (Thursday), "I'm prepared to propose anything that genuinely boosts security in Germany. Blind action isn't the solution, it requires concrete actions." FDP leader Christian Lindner urged for budget reductions for Dublin refugees housed elsewhere in the EU.
After Union faction leader Friedrich Merz (CDU) presented a list of requirements and met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), the administration declared on Wednesday that it would soon present an initial collection of measures. The aim is to hasten the departure of rejected asylum seekers. Instead of Merz's Union-Chancellery alliance, a larger multi-party committee will now formulate additional measures. This committee will include members from the federal states (both Union and SPD), other federal ministries, and presumably the Greens and FDP.
Currently under consideration:
- Deportations: Klingbeil declared, "We have to make deportations to Afghanistan and Syria possible now, with great urgency." Merz concurs. Previous attempts have failed due to the unclear threat situation in these nations and the lack of diplomatic ties with the ruling authorities. Furthermore, discussions include speeding up deportations. Lowering the threshold for particularly serious expulsion interests is also being considered. This would allow weapons use as a justification for expulsion.
- Budget cuts for asylum seekers currently registered in another EU country: Lindner urged, "For Dublin refugees who need to leave, the German taxpayer should not provide more than zero euros."
- Revoking protection status for certain home country visits: Lindner mentioned those who "take vacations in the country they are actually threatened in" - they should lose the right to live in Germany. Both the CDU and Union support this, but certain exceptions, like funerals or urgent matters, would be allowed. If a home trip becomes known, the protection status must now be evaluated. No reliable statistics are available, but some state governments have reported that vacation trips are seldom documented.
- Permanent border checks: Merz advocates for this. Chancellor Scholz also backs it, stating, "We require border checks for as long as feasible." The dispute concerns current control points at borders with Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Poland, which can be temporarily enabled but extended repeatedly. The Greens support mobile border controls in the border region. However, refugees seeking asylum are generally permitted entry to the country.
- Detention for departure: The Union demands that rejected asylum seekers who are criminal or pose a risk be kept in detention until they can be deported or leave voluntarily. Critics cite legal obstacles.
- Moratorium on accepting Afghans and Syrians: The Union advocates for this, but critics view it as legally questionable.
Expanded Powers for Security Agencies in the Digital Realm: Klingbeil stated, "Authorities need more leeway to monitor radicalization structures of Islamic terrorists online." Green Party politicians Konstantin von Notz and Irene Mihalic also propose this in a position paper obtained by ARD's capital studio and dpa. SPD politician Sebastian Hartmann views the FDP as an "obstacle," particularly regarding access to telecommunication traffic data, which is legally permissible under EU law: "We have an FDP that has weakened security agencies due to a misguided understanding of the rule of law."
Improved Cooperation Between Police and Intelligence Services: Notz and Mihalic also advocate for this and are likely to receive support from both the Union and SPD.
More Forceful Response Against Hate Preachers: Klingbeil demanded, "We must curb the power of hate preachers on TikTok and other networks. Providers and internet platforms have the legal means, and if they don't use them, we must strengthen our response."
Adequate Funding and More Personnel for Security Agencies: Both Klingbeil and the two Greens call for this. Notz and Mihalic want to integrate the topic of internal security as a joint responsibility of the federal and state governments into the German Constitution.
The Origins of the Discussion:
On Friday evening, a suspect, reportedly motivated by radical Islamic ideology, attacked a city festival in Solingen, stabbing three individuals to death and injuring eight others. The 26-year-old Syrian suspect is now in custody. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating, including for murder and membership in the Islamic State terrorist militia, which claimed responsibility for the attack and released a video of a masked person said to be the suspect. The suspect was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria last year, but the deportation was unsuccessful.
In the aftermath of the tragedy at the city festival in Solingen, where the sound of the waves was replaced by the chaos and fear, Klingbeil suggested, "We need to make it possible to deport individuals to Afghanistan and Syria with urgency, considering the dangerous situation there." Furthermore, to deter unlawful immigration, Lindner proposed, "We should not provide any financial support for Dublin refugees who need to leave Germany."
