Germany approves tougher migration measures

BERLIN – Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the heads of Germany’s 16 states on Wednesday agreed on new measures to tackle soaring migration after crunch talks.

In the first four months of 2023, some 101,981 asylum applications were filed in Germany.

That is an increase of 78 per cent from the same period in 2022.

Almost 218,000 applications were filed in Germany in 2022, the highest number since 2015 to 2016.

The largest number of newcomers hailed from war-torn Syria and Afghanistan, followed by Turkey and Iraq.

In addition, more than a million people arrived from Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion of the country.

In Wednesday’s agreement, a modernisation of information technology systems is due to help accelerate the processing of asylum applications, potentially speeding up expulsions of those with unsuccessful bids.

The process now takes 26 months on average.

An extension of the maximum detention period for migrants from 10 to 28 days was agreed to make it easier to order and maintain their detention before possible expulsion.

Germany will also aim to reach “new migrant partnerships” with the countries of origin of the new arrivals, Mr Scholz told a press conference.

He said the agreements would facilitate the arrival of “qualified staff” from the relevant nations in exchange for deals allowing the return of irregular migrants.

The federal government and the regions opted against implementing permanent border checks with neighbouring countries, but refused to rule it out.

Germany now applies fixed controls only to everyone passing through its border with Austria.

Referring to this arrangement, Mr Scholz said “similar measures” would be taken with other neighbouring countries according to the situation.

Germany also borders Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland.

The reintroduction of border checks in the European Union’s Schengen area of free movement is permitted only in exceptional circumstances.

The government also committed to giving a further €1 billion (S$1.45 billion) to the states, with a working group to examine a long-term solution.

Regional leaders have long demanded more help and money to cope with the new arrivals, with many forced to build temporary shelters.

“Controlling and limiting irregular migration” is a priority for Germany, Mr Scholz said.

The recent influx of asylum seekers has coincided with a rise in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD party, especially in formerly communist eastern Germany.

The anti-migrant party is polling at around 15 per cent, compared with 10.3 per cent in the last general election in 2021. AFP