Kretschmer warns of heated mood in Saxony
Just ahead of the state elections in Saxony, Minister President Kretschmer is concerned about the atmosphere in his state. Many people have turned away from democracy. The federal government must counter this with restrictive migration policies.
Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer has expressed alarm about the heated mood among the state's population just over three and a half weeks before the state election. "The mood is much tenser and more difficult compared to 2019," he told the German Press Agency, looking back at the state election five years ago.
"There are now many more people who have turned away from democracy or are doubting it," Kretschmer continued. "We as the Saxon state government have done everything we can. But that's not enough, the federal government must act."
Kretschmer called for a halt to all refugee intake programs with regard to migration policy. The federal government must "facilitate deportations to Syria and Afghanistan and stop all intake programs," said the CDU politician. "This would have a signal effect abroad and among the population." The payment card for asylum seekers and border controls are already showing an effect, said Kretschmer. "We have halved illegal border crossings in Saxony in the first half of the year."
The CDU Minister President criticized court rulings that a cash limit for the payment card is not legal. "If German laws stand against a cash limit, we must change them," said Kretschmer. The federal government is committed to this with the minister presidents. "The population does not expect any backing down in this specific point."
A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony at the same time as Thuringia on September 1. In polls, the AfD has been leading for months. However, the lead over the CDU of Minister President Kretschmer has recently shrunk significantly. The CDU currently governs the Free State with the SPD and Greens, but according to current polls, there will no longer be a majority for this at the state election. Kretschmer wants to continue governing in the future with as few Greens as possible. A coalition or cooperation with the AfD is out of the question. Right-wing extremists are neck and neck with the CDU in polls.
Kretschmer, being the CDU Minister President of Saxony, advocated for stricter migration policies from the federal government, stating that the current situation has led many people in his state to question or abandon democracy. In his migration policy proposal, he called for an halt to all refugee intake programs and facilitated deportations to Syria and Afghanistan.
