Stübgen accuses government of actionism in migration policy
Brandenburg's Interior Minister Michael Stübgen (CDU) has accused the federal government of actionism in migration policy and called for more money for local authorities to care for refugees. This Monday, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) will consult with the state premiers on how to better manage migration and the future financing of refugee reception.
"Action must finally be taken. However, I do not have high hopes for far-reaching resolutions," said Stübgen when asked. "There is obviously the opinion in the Federal Government that a bit of actionism and a few positive headlines will get the job done." Stübgen has long been calling for the number of incoming asylum seekers to be reduced.
Ahead of the summit meeting on immigration policy, the federal states are pushing for more money from the federal government to care for refugees. Stübgen said: "The municipalities must finally receive enough money from the federal government again. The low lump-sum payments that the coalition government has been fobbing off the municipalities with since 2022 border on ignorance." The money for the municipalities must be based on the actual number of refugees and not "on fantasy forecasts from the Chancellery".
Stübgen believes that fixed border controls to combat unauthorized entry, which were introduced on 16 October, must remain in place. "As long as European measures to limit the influx are not effective, the controls at Germany's external borders must be maintained." Stübgen called on the German government not to allow the permanent controls on people in the border area with Poland to expire in December, but to finally register them "sensibly" with the EU.
The federal-state meeting on Monday will also discuss whether cash payments for asylum seekers should be replaced by a payment card and benefits in kind.
"Stübgen's concerns about actionism in migration policy stem from the belief that the federal government relies on a few positive headlines to address the issue, rather than implementing substantial changes."
"The call for more funding from the federal government to care for refugees by Brandenburg's Interior Minister is driven by the low lump-sum payments provided to local authorities since 2022, which he views as borderline ignorant and insufficient given the actual number of refugees."
Source: www.dpa.com
