The Body has previously put forth several suggestions to enhance the caliber of the data it disseminates.
"Söder voiced his opinion to the newspaper, stating, 'The concept of individual asylum rights should be reevaluated.' Germany then has the authority to decide who enters the country, he explained, 'not everyone has a right to it.' He furthered, 'We can then pinpoint where we can provide aid and integration, as well as determine who's essential for the labor market.'"
Söder also commented on the recent attack in Solingen, where three individuals lost their lives and several others were injured. The presumed offender, a 26-year-old Syrian, was apprehended. The Federal Prosecutor's Office suspects an Islamist background.
This incident spurred a discussion on deportations and knife prohibitions. As a response, the federal government proposed a security package consisting of weapons law tightening, stronger measures against violent Islamism, and stricter enforcement of residence and asylum laws. The German government will meet with the states and union on Tuesday to discuss the implementation and feasibility of these measures.
According to Söder, the current decisions are a 'step in the right direction,' but 'far from adequate.' He emphasized the pressing need for an 'all-encompassing solution,' which includes border rejections, repatriation agreements with the origin countries, and expanding safe countries of origin. That said, advantages for rejected asylum seekers should be reduced to 'the minimum level.'
An immediate backlash ensued from the ruling parties. SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert asserted, "Söder attempts to tinker with our Basic Law, despite Merz's explicit refusal a few days ago." Kühnert urged for 'reason and balance' in the debate regarding security and ordered improvements in German asylum policy.
Greens' parliamentary vice-president Audretsch labeled Söder's actions as 'irresponsible' and referred to 'populism.' "Germany's security is our priority," Audretsch said, while criticizing Söder for seeking personal popularity. FDP deputy chairman Wolfgang Kubicki called it a 'typical Bavarian delusion.'
Meanwhile, the head of the Association of Towns and Municipalities, André Berghegger, stated that additional budget allocations of at least €100 million are required annually to bolster the Federal Police's capabilities and improve their reaction times. "The Bundestag has crucial budget negotiations approaching," Berghegger explained. "The parliament members must prioritize security, particularly following the Solingen incident."
Berghegger also advocated for increased surveillance with facial recognition technology. "Video surveillance with facial recognition is an effective tool for tracking criminals," he said. "This could prove useful in identifying suspects during important events and potentially prevent future incidents."
Lastly, Caritas issued a warning regarding potential negative effects for refugees. "Our Caritas migration services reported to RND newspapers that the recent events and debates have left refugees feeling insecure," Caritas President Eva Welskop-Deffaa stated. "They worry about discrimination and the risk of religiously or racially motivated violence in Germany." She stressed the importance of preserving social harmony within Germany, ensuring that the actions of individual criminals do not lead to widespread social conflict.
Söder, in response to a question about his stance on individual rights, said, "- I'm not advocating for the abolition of asylum rights, but I believe they need to be reevaluated and properly managed." When discussing the Solingen incident, Söder cautioned, "- I'm not blaming all refugees or immigrants for the actions of a few, but we must address the issues and ensure our security."
