SPD head Esken turns down Merz's proposition of sanctuary
SPD leader Saskia Esken refuses collaboration between the Social Democrats and the Union on enhancing asylum regulations without the coalition partners' consent. In an interview with RBB, she stated that it's significant for a head of government to explore cooperative possibilities with the opposition leader in challenging circumstances and serious issues. However, she clarified, "of course, we won't pursue such cooperation beyond the Greens and FDP, our coalition partners."
On Tuesday, SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU leader Friedrich Merz had an extensive discussion focusing on the aftermath of the Solingen attack. Merz proposed cooperation on tightening asylum regulations to Scholz, with plans to impose legal changes across factions during the upcoming parliamentary session commencing September 9. He suggested passing these changes with a majority of Union and SPD support.
However, Esken highlighted the necessity of identifying the reasons behind the deportation failure of the suspected Solingen attacker and preventing further radicalization in Germany.
"I can't comprehend that as a Green"
The Greens accused Merz of exploiting the Solingen attack for political gain: "We have state elections coming up. I understand that to some extent. But I wish we wouldn't do party politics now," Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir stated on ntv's "Early Start." Merz disregards the fact that law changes in the asylum area were passed jointly with the Greens. Moreover, Merz overlooks the reality that the Solingen attack wasn't due to a legal loophole, but the inadequate application of rules by authorities.
Nonetheless, the Green minister also criticized the incompetence of German security authorities: "The German security authorities operate with bows and arrows while others use high-tech," Özdemir expressed. "There are legal gaps, for instance, that foreign services must provide us with information that our services can't legally obtain. That makes no sense to any reasonable person. I can't comprehend that as a Green either."
"We have an issue"
Similarly, Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck explained that there's "a lot to do" in the field of security policy. He mentioned equipment and powers of security authorities, combating radicalization, and handling migration. "We have an issue," Habeck stated. The rise in refugee numbers since 2015 correlates to a surge in violent criminals. "Those who misuse our hospitality or the significant value of asylum law have no right to still invoke it," Habeck added.
He pointed out "widened gaps" in deportations, explaining, "Between those who should legally depart the country and those who actually depart the country, there exist pronounced gaps." This, he said, is a "law enforcement problem." He proposed a tightening of gun laws and stricter action against internet platforms that fail to consistently combat propaganda.
The FDP also appears to endorse Merz's suggested change in asylum and migration policy. "The FDP is prepared for cross-party efforts to consistently implement a new realism in migration by the federal and state governments," FDP leader and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner told the "Bild" newspaper. "The proposals by Mr. Merz on migration align largely with those of the FDP." Lindner reiterated that his party had already advocated for more control over migration "during the CDU's Merkel era."
In response to Merz's proposal to tighten asylum regulations following the Solingen attack, SPD minister Saskia Esken asserted, "I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I can't comprehend that as a Green," highlighting her opposition to exploiting such incidents for political gain. Later, in a separate interview, she reiterated, "I'm not going to lie, the idea of collaborating beyond our coalition partners on this matter is not something I support."
