Early morning agreement
These are the results of the federal-state summit
November 7, 2023, 4:58 a.m
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Containing irregular migration, more speed in planning, Germany ticket: At their eagerly awaited top meeting, the heads of government of the 16 federal states and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz made numerous decisions. An overview:
Asylum procedure:
Overall, the number of people coming to Germany through refugee migration should be significantly and sustainably reduced. Asylum procedures for nationals of countries for which the recognition rate is less than five percent should be completed more quickly than before. The aim is to complete their asylum and subsequent court proceedings within three months. In all other cases, the asylum procedures should generally be completed after six months.
Border controls:
Border controls at the national borders with Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Poland should be maintained. The states and the federal police want to continue to work closely together to combat smuggling and irregular immigration.
Costs of caring for refugees:
Starting next year, the existing federal refugee allowance is to be further developed into a per capita flat rate dependent on the number of people seeking protection (“breathing system”). From 2024, the federal government will pay an annual flat rate of 7,500 euros for each first-time asylum applicant. There will be an advance payment of 1.75 billion euros in the first half of 2024.
According to the decision paper, the new flat rate and adjustments to benefits for asylum seekers would lead to relief for states and municipalities of around 3.5 billion euros next year – based on this year’s access figures.
Benefits for asylum seekers:
Cash payments to recipients of benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act should be restricted. This is intended to minimize the administrative burden on municipalities. A payment card should be introduced for this purpose. A model should be developed by January 31, 2024. Benefits should be restricted for asylum seekers who have been in Germany for more than one and a half years: If an asylum procedure drags on for a long time, benefits from the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act should be paid for not 18, but 36 months. So far, after one and a half years, the rates have risen to approximately the same level as regular social assistance – this step is to take place later in the future.
Asylum procedures in third countries:
The federal government wants to check whether asylum procedures are possible outside Europe. It should be examined whether the protection status of refugees can also be determined in transit or third countries in the future, while respecting the Geneva Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Commission for Migration:
The federal government will set up a commission in coordination with the states to address issues of migration management and better integration. Social groups should be included – for example, churches and trade unions should take part, but also scientists and representatives of organizations that support the interests of asylum seekers.
Further migration measures:
Intensive discussions should be held on migration agreements with other countries of origin. The influx at the European external borders should be limited and the creation of the Common European Asylum System should be promoted at EU level. Refugees should be strictly checked and registered at the EU’s external borders.
Faster planning:
More speed in the planning and approval processes should accelerate the construction of wind turbines, power lines, railway lines and apartments. The federal and state governments agreed on an acceleration pact to streamline procedures and reduce approval procedures. For example, the construction of apartments, the expansion of attics and the installation of cell phone masts should be made easier. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) spoke of around 100 individual regulations that the package included.
Germany ticket:
To finance the Deutschlandticket in local transport, funds not used this year should be used in 2024 to compensate for financial disadvantages among transport companies. In addition, the transport ministers should be commissioned to present a concept for implementing the ticket from 2024. The current price of 49 euros per month, which was described as the “introductory price” from the outset, also comes into focus.