- Prime Minister Kretschmann expresses readiness for border control measures.
Following the push for increased border control proposals by Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), Baden-Württemberg's Premier Winfried Kretschmann (Green Party) has expressed his acceptance to implement stricter rejections. Kretschmann cited evidence indicating that border controls proved effective in those areas where they were implemented. It's now up to Faeser to address the legal aspects and, if she proposes such measures, Kretschmann is open to considering them.
On Monday, Faeser announced the enactment of six-month border controls at all German land borders, not just in the east and south, to curb the influx of illegal entries. The new checks are scheduled to commence on September 16, and the government has also crafted a "model for EU-compliant and efficient rejections," as per the Interior Ministry declaration.
Kretschmann emphasized his support for limiting irregular immigration, but also highlighted the necessity of regular immigration to reinforce labor and skilled worker markets. "Asylum policy should not be incessantly linked with immigration policies," Kretschmann asserted.
However, some of Kretschmann's Green Party colleagues were less enthusiastic about Faeser's proposal. The head of the federal Green Party, Omid Nouripour, suggested that this matter should be discussed with European partner states and especially neighboring countries. He also pointed to Austria, which has already expressed reluctance toward accepting migrants rejected by Germany.
Irene Mihalic, a Green Party interior politician, voiced concerns about a potential chain reaction in the event of Germany rejecting a large number of border crossers. "It would naturally set off a domino effect," insisted Mihalic during a segment on the ARD morning magazine.
The Commission has not yet provided a response to Germany's request to use Article 93 (2) of the Treaty for stricter border controls. Despite this, Faeser continues to push for legal justification to implement the six-month border controls.
