Kretschmer: Federal-Länder agreement only a first step
Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer has criticized the results of the federal-state negotiations on migration as disappointing. Many points had been watered down by the federal government, said the CDU politician in Dresden on Tuesday. Nevertheless, the final decision was important as a first step. "It is not a turning point in migration policy, but it is an important step." Saxony's head of government also criticized the Federal Chancellor: "There is a world of difference between what Olaf Scholz is signaling to the public on migration issues and what he can now represent," said Kretschmer.
The heads of the federal states and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had negotiated in a marathon session until early Tuesday morning. The hard-won agreement provides for a change in the system for financing refugee costs and a reduction in benefits for asylum seekers. The German government also wants to examine whether asylum procedures outside of Europe are possible. Asylum procedures are also to be processed more quickly.
From Saxony's point of view, however, this does not go far enough: in a protocol note in the minister presidents' paper, the Free State, together with Bavaria, called for a fundamental change in migration policy. "Irregular migration pressure must be limited immediately and comprehensively. Otherwise, there is a risk that local authorities will be completely overwhelmed and the political stability of the country will be jeopardized," the declaration reads.
To this end, the two federal states are calling, among other things, for the basic right to asylum in its current form to be reconsidered and further developed. "The aim must be to ensure that those who are not entitled to protection can be effectively turned back at the German border," reads the protocol declaration by the two federal states.
The Federal Government and the Federal states agreed to change the financing system for refugee costs and reduce benefits for asylum seekers, but this is seen as insufficient by Saxony and Bavaria. They are advocating for a reconsideration and further development of the basic right to asylum to effectively turn away those not entitled to protection. The heads of these federal states believe this is necessary to limit irregular migration pressure and prevent local authorities from being overwhelmed, potentially jeopardizing the country's political stability.
Source: www.dpa.com
