Preparedness of FDP to Implement 'Pragmatic Approach in Immigration Matters'
The opposition leader Merz suggests a stricter immigration and asylum policy in response to the incident in Solingen, proposing laws to be passed in collaboration with the SPD, even without the input of the other coalition partners. The FDP has now voiced their support for this shift.
The FDP is willing to collaborate with the Union to overhaul migration and asylum policies following the knife attack in Solingen. Party leader Christian Lindner expressed this sentiment to the "Bild" newspaper, stating, "The FDP is prepared to engage in bipartisan efforts to consistently enforce a new realism in migration, a collaborative effort between federal and state governments." Lindner further noted that Merz's proposals align closely with those of the FDP.
Merz urged Chancellor Scholz to deviate from the coalition partners, Greens, and FDP, in this area and introduce corresponding laws in the German Bundestag with the majority of Union and SPD. Merz highlighted potential changes to the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, residence rights, and the law governing the Federal Police's competencies as examples.
Lindner noted that his party had advocated for an alternative migration policy when the CDU was still on the Merkel course during the 2015 refugee crisis. Additionally, the FDP leader advocated for denying social benefits to certain asylum seekers. "We also propose not providing social benefits to Dublin asylum seekers, such as the suspect in Solingen, enabling their departure for the responsible EU country," he told the newspaper.
In accordance with the EU's Dublin Regulation, an asylum seeker should file their application in the first EU state they entered. The incident in Solingen saw a 26-year-old Syrian randomly stabbing people at a city festival, leading to three fatalities. The suspect remains in custody, but German authorities failed to deport him as required under the Dublin Regulation. The man had entered the EU through Bulgaria, which sought to return him according to the procedure, but the red tape in Germany allowed him to stay.
The Commission, referring to the European Commission, may need to address the issue of asylum seekers and their responsibilities under the Dublin Regulation, given the case in Solingen. Lindner suggested that Germany should adhere to the Dublin Regulation to ensure proper handling of asylum seekers like the perpetrator in the Solingen incident.
