Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz Agrees on Tougher Migration Policy

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz Agrees on Tougher Migration Policy and Funding for Refugees

Berlin, Nov 7: Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, who is focused on reducing the number of asylum seekers and countering far-right support, has reached an agreement on a stricter migration policy and additional funding for refugees. The accord was reached following extensive negotiations with the leaders of Germany’s 16 states.

Scholz’s government has recently implemented measures to facilitate the deportation of migrants and make Germany a less appealing destination for asylum seekers. This approach contrasts with the perceived open-door policy under former Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The primary objective of the meeting was to secure the support of state leaders for these measures and address concerns raised by local authorities about the strain on public finances and infrastructure.

As a result of the negotiations, Scholz’s government has committed to providing states and municipalities with €7,500 per refugee starting from next year, along with an initial payment of €1.75 billion in the first half of 2024.

The total volume of aid has been estimated at €3.5 billion by the leader of the central state of Hesse.

To offset these expenses, authorities will implement cost-saving measures such as reducing benefits for asylum seekers by extending the time until they qualify for full social benefits.

Chancellor Scholz described the agreement as a “historic moment” and emphasized the shared goal of curbing irregular migration.

Additionally, the federal government has agreed to explore the feasibility of conducting asylum procedures outside the European Union. However, Scholz expressed skepticism about the constitutional and diplomatic challenges involved in such a move.

The issue of migration has gained prominence due to a rising number of asylum requests, particularly driven by the arrival of over one million Ukrainian refugees after Russia’s invasion last year.

In the first nine months of this year, more than 230,000 people requested asylum in Germany, surpassing the total for the entire year of 2022.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), currently in second place in nationwide polls, has capitalized on public concerns about migration.

Scholz’s government has taken several measures to address these concerns, including making it easier to deport members of criminal associations, accelerating the entry of asylum seekers into the labor force, and imposing longer prison sentences on human traffickers.

Scholz has emphasized the need for democratic forces to unite to address migration-related challenges and counter the rise of far-right movements in the country. This comprehensive approach aims to strike a balance between managing migration and upholding humanitarian values.