Federal government warns against high expectations: Show or turning point at the migration meeting? What is it about

After the knife attack in Solingen, the federal government, the states and the Union are talking about migration. The Union is insisting on a tough stance on rejections and border controls. An overview of the initial situation.

What the Union brings

CDU leader Friedrich Merz is not among the participants, but the day before he reiterated calls for a significant reduction in migration to Germany. “The real problem is not gun laws and deportations,” said the Union faction leader. “The real problem is the ongoing uncontrolled immigration pressure.” He insisted on rejections at the German borders. “If there is no agreement tomorrow, then we do not need to hold any further talks,” said Merz on Monday evening in Osnabrück.

The chairman of the Conference of Minister Presidents, Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU), called for a “change of era in migration policy” last week. On Monday, he listed the Union's demands again: “The federal government must continue controls at the internal borders and finally begin to consistently reject people at the borders.” We also need consistent implementation of the Dublin rules at European level, more safe countries of origin, asylum procedures in third countries. Of course, people must also be deported to Afghanistan and Syria. Criminals and those who pose a threat should have their citizenship revoked, and deportation and detention options must be expanded.”

BSW boss Sahra Wagenknecht is also calling for a hard line on migration issues. “Instead of pseudo-solutions, we need a political end to uncontrolled migration,” she told the “Welt” newspaper. “Those who are already in the country but have been rejected also lose their right to maintenance.” Even those entering from a safe third country are not entitled to asylum or to taxpayers' benefits.

What the traffic light puts on the table

From the Federal Government's point of view, the basis for the discussions is the “security package” passed last week – a reaction to the knife attack in Solingen that left three people dead. It provides for measures in three areas: a tougher approach to the repatriation of rejected asylum seekers to their countries of origin, steps to combat Islamist terror more decisively and tightening of gun laws.

It is planned, for example, that asylum seekers for whom another European country is responsible will no longer receive benefits in Germany – if that country is prepared to take them back (Dublin cases). There is also likely to be a ban on switchblades and easier exclusion from protection in Germany for migrants who have committed a crime.

A working group of federal and state governments will also look for ways to improve the Dublin procedure – including the regulations for deporting asylum seekers to other European countries that are responsible for them. This was the case with the suspected Solingen attacker, who should actually have been deported to Bulgaria.

Migration Commissioner warns against “one-sided focus”

The Federal Government's Commissioner for Migration, Reem Alabali-Radovan, warned against a “one-sided focus on tightening migration policy.” The “security package” should strengthen protection against terror, violence and crime, the SPD politician told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). “It is important that this is done without general suspicion and blanket statements.”

Migration and internal security are largely the responsibility of the states. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf) decides on asylum applications. The immigration offices, on the other hand, are state authorities. Deportations are also ultimately a state matter, even if they involve the federal police in carrying them out.

The government has also outlined better cooperation between the federal and state governments as an area of ​​work in its security package. A working group of the federal and state governments is to look for ways to improve the Dublin procedure – including the regulations for deporting asylum seekers to other European states that are responsible for them. This was the case with the suspected Solingen attacker, who should actually have been deported to Bulgaria.

Confidential round planned

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) are expected to attend the meeting at the Federal Ministry of the Interior on behalf of the federal government. Representatives of the traffic light factions are also expected to attend. Group manager Thorsten Frei (CDU) is expected to attend for the Union faction. Hesse will represent the Union side and Lower Saxony will represent the SPD side for the states.

The government does not want to communicate after the meeting. A confidential meeting is planned.