- Southern region advocates for revisation of immigrant entry regulations
Markus Söder, Bavaria's Minister-President and CSU party leader, once more urged the federal government to revamp its migration policy fundamentally. He suggested actions like repatriations at the borders, overhauling asylum law, striking repatriation agreements with home countries, and expanding the list of safe countries of origin. As of now, the federal government has been reluctant to comply.
Söder acknowledged that the federal government's recent asylum package includes some promising aspects, but it still doesn't cut it. "It's high time for a comprehensive shift in migration policy. The asylum law needs a makeover, it's outdated. We must send back anyone at Germany's borders who has no genuine protection claim, such as those hailing from a safe third country," he stated.
Söder had his concerns about Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD)'s true intentions to engage in discussions on this matter. "Considering the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia, I'd recommend Scholz to steer clear of tactical maneuvers. I question whether his offer is genuine," remarked Söder.
Söder accused the traffic light coalition of bottlenecking again.
Scholz had previously hinted at cooperation, yet things fell through the cracks since then. "It was just like promised turnovers: plenty of promise, yet nothing to show for it," commented Söder in the newspaper.
"The current decisions of the traffic light coalition might represent a first step, but they fall short of what's needed. Moreover, it's unclear whether they'll actually carry them out. We've seen this pattern with the traffic light coalition before—first agreement, only to stall again afterwards," he added.
According to Söder, the federal government could swiftly institute policies to facilitate repatriations at the borders. "We could deploy detention centers and payment cards nationwide in no time. We could negotiate the return of their citizens with Syria and Afghanistan. Everything's doable, and the impact would be significant," Söder concluded.
The European Union could play a crucial role in facilitating repatriation agreements with home countries, as suggested by Söder. With the EU's influence and diplomatic power, it could help accelerate the process of returning those with no protection claims to safe third countries.
Despite the reluctance of the federal government to comply with Söder's proposed actions, the European Union might offer a more favorable approach to migration policy reforms.
