Tatiana Geiselmann, edited by Alexandre Dalifard / Photo credit: ELIANO IMPERATO / CONTROLUCE VIA AFP
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06:49, May 16, 2023
Last week, the German government announced that it would tighten the screw in the face of the influx of migrants into the country. Since the beginning of the year, more than 100,000 asylum applications have been filed, an increase of 78% compared to last year. For the occasion, Europe 1 went to Kehl where 1,200 refugees live there.
Germany is making a shift in its policy of welcoming refugees. The German government announced last week that it would tighten the screws on the influx of migrants into the country. Since the beginning of the year, more than 100,000 asylum applications have been filed, an increase of 78% compared to last year. Compared to 2019, the number of arrivals has increased by 50%, putting the reception capacities of the municipalities to the test. They are the ones who urged the government to act. Illustration in Kehl, where Europe 1 went.
50 housing units for refugees will be built
1,200 refugees live in Kehl. A number that has doubled in one year, due to the massive influx of Ukrainians, causing tension in the real estate market. Irina has lived here for 40 years and helps her compatriots settle. “I realize that we are running out of space. A two-room apartment now costs 900 euros per month, even the locals find it difficult to find accommodation”, she laments at the microphone of Europe 1. To overcome the shortage housing project, Mayor Wolfram Britz launched the construction of 50 housing units for refugees. In the meantime, prefabs will also make it possible to free up the gymnasiums, which are still occupied by Ukrainians. “We decided to temporarily install containers to calm tensions with the population, who can no longer play sports, neither at school nor in clubs,” said the mayor.
But the anger seems deeper. The influx of refugees has caused rents to rise by 5% and more and more Germans are turning to the far right, like Alfonz, a former socialist voter. “The far right is what we had 70 years ago. Nobody wants it, but current politics leaves us no choice,” he admits. The far-right party is credited with 15% of voting intentions, against 10% a year ago.