Habeck cautions EU in asylum debate: Exercise caution at this juncture
Following the CDU's leader Söder's challenge to the existing asylum legislation in an interview, Economics Minister and Vice-Chancellor Habeck reiterated the law's fundamental principle. The Union, it appears, is becoming increasingly uncertain about this matter.
In response to the Union's push for stricter asylum policies, Habeck defended the principle of seeking refuge as a fundamental right. The Green politician rhetorically asked, "For a valid reason, the right to seek refuge is deeply ingrained in this republic." At the same time, he issued a warning to the CDU and CSU, stating, "The Union needs to be cautious."
Habeck highlighted that the creators of the asylum law were well-aware of their actions. However, he pointed out that the Union, in contrast, is "increasingly not," also mentioning the forthcoming talks between Federal Chancellor Scholz and the Union on Tuesday. Scholz intends to consult with the Union, the largest opposition force, and the state representatives about the future steps in asylum and migration policy.
The motivation stems from the alleged Islamist knife attack in Solingen, where a Syrian man killed three people and injured several others severely. In response to the attack, the federal government announced strengthening the asylum and migration policy this week, but this was not sufficient for the Union. CDU leader Ferdinand Merz urged declaring a "national emergency" that would enable turning away refugees at the German border.
Söder's Controversial Comments
Habeck's response mainly targets CSU leader Markus Söder, who earlier doubted the current asylum legislation. "We need to revise the asylum law; it's outdated. We must have the authority to deny entry to those without a legitimate claim for protection," Söder stated to "Welt am Sonntag".
The comments also received criticism from the Association of Towns and Municipalities. CEO André Berghegger told Funke media group newspapers, "It cannot be about abolishing the fundamental right to seek refuge." At the same time, however, Berghegger advocated for reducing the number of asylum seekers substantially. He affirmed the traffic light's package of measures as "a good starting point."
Habeck, in response to Söder's call for revising the asylum law, firmly stated, "I'm not going to abandon the principle of seeking refuge as a fundamental right." Recognizing the complexity of the situation, he added, "The Union needs to carefully consider the implications of their proposals to ensure they uphold the rule of law."
