SPD course still unclear
FDP and Union insist on Dublin border rules
09.09.2024, 00:10
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Before the next meeting on asylum policy between the government and the opposition, a rift is running through the traffic light coalition. While the FDP and the Union are in favor of a strict restoration of the Dublin rules at the German borders, the SPD is keeping quiet on the issue.
In the migration debate, FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai insisted on compliance with the Dublin system at the German borders and advocated turning away asylum seekers. “We cannot indiscriminately grant entry to anyone who says they want asylum at the border,” Djir-Sarai told the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post”. The Dublin system still applies in Europe. “It is time for it to be consistently applied again at the German borders. Refugees who have no right to apply for asylum in Germany must not be allowed into the country and certainly must not receive social benefits,” said Djir-Sarai. “We will push ahead with this reorganization of migration policy quickly and decisively. Because anyone who stands in the way of these reforms is ignoring the concerns of the people in the country and strengthening the political fringes,” said the FDP politician.
The Union is also not prepared to compromise on the issue of turning away migrants at the German border. This was emphasized by the Union parliamentary group’s vice-chair and participant in the first migration summit, Andrea Lindholz, to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). “We are calling for a clear change in migration policy,” the CSU politician told the RND. “This will only happen if there are flexible border controls at the German borders that are fundamentally adapted to the situation and if there are also rejections for those who come to us via safe European countries.”
Police unions agree to Union demand
Lindholz stressed that this position remains the basis for further talks with the federal government and the traffic light coalition. Lindholz added: “In the meantime, DpolG and GdP, the two police unions, also support this position.”
For the SPD, deputy parliamentary group leader Dirk Wiese praised the meeting currently planned for Tuesday between the traffic light coalition, the Union and state representatives, but called on the CDU/CSU to exercise verbal moderation. “The fact that the government and the opposition are looking for solutions together is a strong signal,” Wiese told the RND. “However, it is important that the Union maintains an objective tone in the migration debate: more than 20 million people with a migration background are an integral part of our society.” A well-organized immigration policy is essential for Germany’s success, said Wiese. “We need an objective and respectful exchange, and I expect the largest opposition party in particular to play a constructive role in this.” Wiese did not comment on the Union’s demand to drastically reduce illegal border crossings.