Haseloff calls for reliable funding of asylum costs
Ahead of the Minister Presidents' Conference with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Saxony-Anhalt's head of government Reiner Haseloff (CDU) has called for reliable funding for the costs of accommodating and caring for refugees. "The federal government is responsible for securing the external borders. It is unacceptable that the federal government only wants to cover a fraction of the costs," Haseloff told the German Press Agency.
The heads of government of the federal states will meet with Scholz in Berlin on Monday. According to a list compiled by the federal states, together with the municipalities in Germany, they spent around 17.6 billion euros on asylum and refugee-related expenses last year. According to a projection, this could rise to 23.3 billion euros this year, with a further increase expected in 2024 due to the high number of new arrivals. At the same time, the federal government reportedly wants to reduce its share from 3.75 to 1.25 billion euros. The federal states are not prepared to accept this.
Haseloff is calling for the federal government to take on more responsibility for funding and for irregular migration to be limited. "The capacity limits have been reached. The number of arrivals must be drastically reduced and the number of returns increased. The municipalities and federal states cannot cope with such a permanent burden," said the CDU politician. "Financial limits have also been reached. Because we are not controlling immigration and not stopping illegal migration, more and more budget funds have to be spent on this area. Many people no longer accept this."
Haseloff warns of the consequences if the talks fail to produce results. "We need a real breakthrough on Monday, otherwise we will continue to lose credibility as a state. The shift to the right is in full swing. Ultimately, Monday will decide Germany's political future in no small way."
Between the beginning of January and the end of September, 233,744 people applied for asylum in Germany for the first time, around 73 percent more than in the same period last year. "We need swift implementation of examination procedures at Europe's external borders. Until this happens, controls at Germany's borders must be stepped up," warned Haseloff.
The federal governments' proposed reduction in funding for asylum and refugee-related expenses leaves municipalities, like those in Saxony-Anhalt, unprepared, as stated by Reiner Haseloff. Consequently, the municipalities strongly oppose this reduction in financial support, as they are already strained by the increasing costs associated with accommodating and caring for refugees.
Source: www.dpa.com
