Scholz’s challenger demands tougher migration rules as knife attack spills into German election
2 months ago

Scholz’s challenger demands tougher migration rules as knife attack spills into German election

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s opposition leader vowed Thursday to bar people from entering the country without proper papers and to step up deportations if he is elected chancellor next month, as a knife attack by a rejected asylum-seeker spilled over into an election campaign in which he is the front-runner. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose center-left party trails in polls ahead of Germany’s Feb. 23 election, met the heads of the country’s security services on Wednesday evening and said they will “draw the necessary consequences. Merz said that if he becomes chancellor, he would order the Interior Ministry on his first day in office to control all of Germany’s borders permanently and “turn back all attempts at illegal entry without exception.” He argued that EU rules are “recognizably dysfunctional” and Germany must exert a right to the primacy of national law. Merz, who may well have to form a coalition with center-left parties to become chancellor, insisted that “compromises are no longer possible on these issues.” The outgoing government already instituted temporary controls on all of Germany’s borders and has argued that progress has been made in reducing unauthorized entry and increasing deportations.

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History of this topic

Leading contenders make their final appeals to German voters before a landmark election
1 month ago

Leading contenders make their final appeals to German voters before a landmark election

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The contenders in Germany's election made their final appeals to voters …

Leading contenders make their final appeals to German voters before a landmark election
1 month ago

Leading contenders make their final appeals to German voters before a landmark election

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The contenders in Germany’s election made their final appeals to voters Saturday, with opposition leader and front-runner Friedrich Merz vowing to revive the stagnant economy and defend Europe’s interests in the face of a confrontational U.S. administration. At a closing rally in a Munich beer hall, Merz told supporters that “three years in opposition are enough.” Germany is …

Germany election: Refugees a key issue, half a million immigrants to vote on Sunday
1 month ago

Germany election: Refugees a key issue, half a million immigrants to vote on Sunday

Firstpost  

Many of the new citizens who will vote for the first time in Germany on Sunday have expressed a mix of excitement, hope for change, and a feeling of empowerment about their voting rights. He hopes that the next government can make sure that “ Germany’s economy will get better again.” “This is my first national election after becoming a …

Scholz clashes with Merz over German economy and migration at last parliament meeting before poll
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Scholz clashes with Merz over German economy and migration at last parliament meeting before poll

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz accused his main challenger in the upcoming election of “constant about turns,” while Friedrich Merz, the opposition leader and front-runner, accused Scholz of leaving behind an economic “disaster” as parliament met Tuesday for the last time before the country’s Feb. 23 election. Merz said Scholz and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck of the environmentalist Greens, …

German election race heats up as leading parties push for stricter migration laws
1 month, 2 weeks ago

German election race heats up as leading parties push for stricter migration laws

The Hindu  

With less than four weeks left for the German national elections, the topic of migration has come back to the forefront following a knife attack in South Germany on January 22 that led to the death of two people, including a two-year-old boy. These flyers advertised a one-way ticket for “Illegal immigrants” from “Germany” to “safe country of origin.” AfD’s …

German opposition’s migration bill narrowly defeated amid controversy over far-right support
1 month, 3 weeks ago

German opposition’s migration bill narrowly defeated amid controversy over far-right support

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German parliament narrowly rejected on Friday an opposition- Opposition leader and front-runner Friedrich Merz has put demands for a more restrictive approach to migration at the center of his campaign for the Feb. 23 election since a deadly knife attack last week by a rejected asylum-seeker. The center-left governing parties said they would reject the so-called “influx …

Migration talks put strain on Germany’s anti-AfD ‘firewall’
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Migration talks put strain on Germany’s anti-AfD ‘firewall’

The Hindu  

An angry pre-election showdown on immigration flared in Germany’s Parliament on Wednesday as the conservative Opposition said it would accept support from lawmakers of the far-right Alternative for Germany, breaching a long-standing taboo. Mr. Merz, who planned to file motions demanding tougher immigration rules, fired back at Mr. Scholz by recalling a series of bloody attacks blamed on asylum seekers …

Germany's far-right 'firewall' under strain as migration debate flares
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Germany's far-right 'firewall' under strain as migration debate flares

Raw Story  

by Frank ZELLER An angry pre-election showdown on immigration flared in Germany's parliament Wednesday as the conservative opposition said it would accept support from lawmakers of the far-right AfD, breaching a long-standing taboo. Centre-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz told his election rival Friedrich Merz that any cooperation with the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party would be an "unforgivable mistake". Merz, who …

Scholz's challenger brings tough migration plans to German parliament, faces blowback on far right
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Scholz's challenger brings tough migration plans to German parliament, faces blowback on far right

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Chancellor Olaf Scholz's main challenger in Germany's upcoming election plans to …

German parliament backs election front-runner’s call for tough border rules with far-right support
1 month, 3 weeks ago

German parliament backs election front-runner’s call for tough border rules with far-right support

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s parliament on Wednesday narrowly approved a call by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s main challenger to turn back many more migrants at the country’s borders, with the help of a far-right party — a move that drew strong criticism of the front-runner in the campaign for next month’s election. Far-right lawmakers applauded the result, while the parliamentary leader of …

Now Germany looks to ban all asylum seekers: Centrist party unveils radical plan to close borders as Europe gets tough on migrants
2 months ago

Now Germany looks to ban all asylum seekers: Centrist party unveils radical plan to close borders as Europe gets tough on migrants

Daily Mail  

A leading German politician has unveiled a plan to crack down on migration, promising to table controversial motions that would immediately bring about a blanket ban on all illegal migrants entering the country. The AfD, currently sitting second in the polls behind Merz's conservative alliance, has been backed by US tech billionaire Elon Musk who sent supporters into raptures this …

Germany’s election contenders set out contrasting plans to revive the economy, reduce migration
3 months, 1 week ago

Germany’s election contenders set out contrasting plans to revive the economy, reduce migration

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Leading contenders in Germany’s upcoming election presented their programs on Tuesday, setting out contrasting visions of how to put new vigor into Europe’s biggest economy and tackle other issues such as migration. To borrow or not to borrow The Social Democrats and Greens want to reform Germany’s self-imposed restrictions on borrowing — the “debt brake,” introduced more than …

Germany's Scholz promises more deportations after visiting mass stabbing scene
7 months ago

Germany's Scholz promises more deportations after visiting mass stabbing scene

Hindustan Times  

* Germany's Scholz promises more deportations after visiting mass stabbing scene Scholz decries 'terrorism against us all' * Far-right points to attack in election campaign * Government says suspect's deportation 'failed in practice' By Rachel More BERLIN, - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz vowed to step up deportations on Monday during a visit to Solingen, where a deadly mass stabbing linked …

German parliament approves legislation easing deportations of rejected asylum seekers
1 year, 2 months ago

German parliament approves legislation easing deportations of rejected asylum seekers

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German parliament on Thursday approved legislation that is intended to ease deportations of unsuccessful asylum-seekers as Chancellor Olaf Scholz seeks to defuse migration as a political problem. It also authorizes residential searches for documentation that enables officials to firmly establish a person’s identity, as well as remove authorities’ obligation to give advance notice of deportations in some …

Number of asylum seekers in Germany jumps 50 per cent in a year to 350,000
1 year, 2 months ago

Number of asylum seekers in Germany jumps 50 per cent in a year to 350,000

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The number of people applying …

Some 350,000 people applied for asylum in Germany in 2023, up 51% in a year
1 year, 2 months ago

Some 350,000 people applied for asylum in Germany in 2023, up 51% in a year

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The number of people applying for asylum in Germany last year rose to 351,915, an increase of 51.1% compared with the year before. The largest number of asylum-seekers came from Syria, with 104,561 applications, followed by Turkish citizens with 62,624 asylum pleas and 53,582 Afghans, Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said Monday. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, …

Germany’s chancellor, state governors agree on new measures to curb migration
1 year, 4 months ago

Germany’s chancellor, state governors agree on new measures to curb migration

LA Times  

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has agreed with state governors on new measures to curb migration. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the governors of Germany’s 16 states agreed on new and stricter measures to curb the high number of migrants flowing into the country, reaching a compromise on an issue that has become a huge political problem for the government and a …

Germany’s Scholz faces pressure to curb migration as he meets state governors
1 year, 4 months ago

Germany’s Scholz faces pressure to curb migration as he meets state governors

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz is to meet Germany’s 16 state governors on Monday to address ways to deal with large numbers of migrants, an issue that has become a huge political problem for the government. Shelters for migrants and refugees are filling up and Scholz, who faces enormous pressure from the opposition and elsewhere to halt that trend, has …

German government plans to allow asylum-seekers to work sooner and punish smugglers harder
1 year, 4 months ago

German government plans to allow asylum-seekers to work sooner and punish smugglers harder

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German government has approved legislation that would allow asylum-seekers to start working sooner and a plan to stiffen punishment for people who smuggle migrants. Shelters for migrants and refugees have been filling up across Germany in recent months and Scholz, who faces enormous pressure on migration from the opposition and elsewhere, has said that “too many are …

German Cabinet approves legislation meant to ease deportations of rejected asylum-seekers
1 year, 5 months ago

German Cabinet approves legislation meant to ease deportations of rejected asylum-seekers

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German Cabinet approved legislation Wednesday that is intended to ease deportations of unsuccessful asylum-seekers as Chancellor Olaf Scholz seeks to defuse migration as a political problem. It also would authorize residential searches for documentation that enables officials to firmly establish a person’s identity, as well as remove authorities’ obligation to give advance notice of deportations in some …

Scholz says that Germany needs to expand deportations of rejected asylum-seekers
1 year, 5 months ago

Scholz says that Germany needs to expand deportations of rejected asylum-seekers

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Scholz says that Germany needs to expand deportations of rejected asylum-seekers
1 year, 5 months ago

Scholz says that Germany needs to expand deportations of rejected asylum-seekers

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany needs to start deporting “on a large scale” migrants who don’t have the right to stay in the country, adding to increasingly tough talk on migration since his coalition performed badly in two state elections earlier this month. Scholz’s comments in an interview with weekly Der Spiegel were published Friday, as a leading …

Germany is aiming to ease deportations as the government faces intense pressure on migration
1 year, 5 months ago

Germany is aiming to ease deportations as the government faces intense pressure on migration

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German government has drawn up legislation to ease deportations of unsuccessful asylum-seekers and plans to discuss measures to tackle migration with the opposition as it tries to defuse what has become a major political problem. “It is a challenge that so many people are coming to Germany irregularly — the numbers of those who are coming as …

Shelters for migrants are filling up across Germany as attitudes toward the newcomers harden
1 year, 5 months ago

Shelters for migrants are filling up across Germany as attitudes toward the newcomers harden

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Dozens of people from around the world lined up on a sunny morning this week in front of a former mental health hospital in Berlin to apply for asylum in Germany. Berlin’s state government says it will open a hangar at the former Tempelhof airport to make space for migrants, put up a big tent at the asylum …

Shelters for migrants are filling up across Germany as attitudes toward the newcomers harden
1 year, 5 months ago

Shelters for migrants are filling up across Germany as attitudes toward the newcomers harden

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Berlin's state government says it will open a hangar …

Shelters for migrants fill up across Germany as attitudes toward them harden
1 year, 6 months ago

Shelters for migrants fill up across Germany as attitudes toward them harden

LA Times  

Dozens of people from around the world lined up on a sunny morning this week in front of a former mental health hospital in Berlin to apply for asylum in Germany. “This is much more than we expected last year.” The former mental health hospital in Berlin’s Reinickendorf neighborhood was turned into the city’s registration center for asylum seekers in …

German opposition leader takes aim at migration but largely rules out working with far right
1 year, 8 months ago

German opposition leader takes aim at migration but largely rules out working with far right

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s conservative opposition leader said Tuesday that large-scale migration is one of the country’s biggest problems and the main reason for a recent surge in support for the far right. “It’s not radical right-wing, national-socialist conviction but rather it’s two-thirds protest,” Merz said of recent poll numbers, which put AfD’s nationwide support at 20%. German news agency dpa …

German leader defends deal to stop migrants at EU borders, says old system was ‘dysfunctional’
1 year, 9 months ago

German leader defends deal to stop migrants at EU borders, says old system was ‘dysfunctional’

Associated Press  

BERLIN — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday defended a deal to stop migrants from entering the European Union until their chances of getting asylum have been reviewed, arguing that the bloc’s existing arrangement is “completely dysfunctional.” Speaking to lawmakers in Berlin, he said the compromise reached earlier this month by the EU’s 27 member states after years of negotiations …

Olaf Scholz jokes Germany must have Mediterranean beach given how many refugees arrive
1 year, 9 months ago

Olaf Scholz jokes Germany must have Mediterranean beach given how many refugees arrive

The Telegraph  

Olaf Scholz has been accused of “making fun of other people’s suffering” after he joked that Germany must have a beach on the Mediterranean, given how many refugees arrive in the country. Speaking at a gathering of church leaders at the weekend, Mr Scholz said: “Germany must have a large beach on the Mediterranean because more refugees. arrive in Germany …

Germany to ditch Angela Merkel’s open-door migrant policy
1 year, 10 months ago

Germany to ditch Angela Merkel’s open-door migrant policy

The Telegraph  

Berlin’s left-wing government is preparing to ditch the liberal refugee policies that marked the Merkel era and crack down on asylum seekers Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, announced a plan on Wednesday that will see Germany introduce tighter controls on all nine of its borders while pushing for asylum centres on the edge of the EU. “The big task we …

Scholz says Germany wants to curb ‘irregular migration’
2 years ago

Scholz says Germany wants to curb ‘irregular migration’

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday that Germany will have to do a better job at clamping down on “irregular migration” and deporting those who don’t legally reside in the country. “Our responsibility in the face of this terrible war of aggression naturally also includes providing protection for Ukrainian citizens in the European Union,” Scholz said in a speech …

Scholz says Germany wants to curb 'irregular migration'
2 years ago

Scholz says Germany wants to curb 'irregular migration'

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Thursday …

Germany struggles to find housing for more than 1M refugees
2 years, 5 months ago

Germany struggles to find housing for more than 1M refugees

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The German government pledged Tuesday to provide more support to cities and towns struggling to house the more than 1.1 million refugees and migrants who have arrived in the country this year, mostly from war-torn Ukraine but also other countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. After meeting with state and local officials, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said while …

Europe facing migrant 'catastrophe' to rival 2015 crisis, Austria warns
6 years, 9 months ago

Europe facing migrant 'catastrophe' to rival 2015 crisis, Austria warns

Daily Mail  

Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has warned of a migrant 'catastrophe' similar to the 2015 crisis if Europe does not agree a common response. The 31-year-old leader also blamed Angela Merkel for forcing countries to reinstate border controls when she welcomed hundreds of thousands of migrants into the Germany three years ago. Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has warned of a migrant …

Differences Over Migration Policy Throw German Government Into Crisis
6 years, 9 months ago

Differences Over Migration Policy Throw German Government Into Crisis

NPR  

Differences Over Migration Policy Throw German Government Into Crisis Enlarge this image toggle caption Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images Updated at 1:54 p.m. The political opponent undermining Merkel's political line comes from her own coalition — from Germany's interior minister Horst Seehofer, the leader of the Christian Social Union, the sister party of Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union. "We …

Germany vows to take tougher stance on migrant deportations
6 years, 10 months ago

Germany vows to take tougher stance on migrant deportations

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Hundreds of German police officers raided a refugee shelter in the southern town of Ellwangen on Thursday, days after an angry mob of migrants prevented authorities from deporting a 23-year-old man from Togo. The massive police operation came as Germany’s top security official presented a new “master plan on migration.” Interior Minister Horst Seehofer vowed he would do …

Election may reflect Germany’s management of migrant influx
7 years, 6 months ago

Election may reflect Germany’s management of migrant influx

Associated Press  

COLOGNE, Germany — German Chancellor Angela Merkel adopted a mantra when citizens questioned her decision to open the country to refugees fleeing wars: “We’ll manage.” She kept repeating it as the lines at immigration offices circled city blocks, school gyms turned into temporary housing and the questions devolved into angry criticism. “Merkel’s government started a highly risky maneuver with its …

German nationalists try reviving migration as election topic
7 years, 7 months ago

German nationalists try reviving migration as election topic

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s anti-immigrant AfD party pushed Monday to make the massive influx of migrants into the country an election issue as it battles with flagging support, despite waning concern among Germans over the matter. Alternative for Germany leaders Alexander Gauland and Alice Weidel told reporters in Berlin they think the wave of newcomers has led to increased crime, an …

Germany’s rejected asylum seekers fear deportation
8 years ago

Germany’s rejected asylum seekers fear deportation

Al Jazeera  

Berlin, Germany – It took Zabihullah Karimi two months to make it from his native Afghanistan to Germany, where he arrived 15 months ago. “Otherwise it hurts the credibility of our country and its laws.” ‘We almost died’ Karimi says he braced himself for death several times while en route to Europe. Fighting deportations In January, Germany announced it would …

Turning point: Germany hoped to close border in 2015, didn’t
8 years ago

Turning point: Germany hoped to close border in 2015, didn’t

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany planned to close its border with Austria and turn back asylum-seekers in September 2015, a move that could have dramatically changed the course of the European refugee crisis that was at its peak at the time, according to a German newspaper. The Welt am Sonntag reported Sunday that Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers agreed Sept. 12 …

Number of migrants who left Germany voluntarily rises sharply in 2016
8 years, 2 months ago

Number of migrants who left Germany voluntarily rises sharply in 2016

Live Mint  

Berlin: Around 55,000 migrants who were not eligible for or were refused asylum left Germany voluntarily between January and November 2016, up by 20,000 from the total number who left voluntarily in 2015, a German newspaper reported on Wednesday. Germany has toughened its stance on immigration in recent months, prompted by concerns about security and integration after admitting more than …

34 deported Afghan asylum seekers return from Germany
8 years, 3 months ago

34 deported Afghan asylum seekers return from Germany

Associated Press  

KABUL, Afghanistan — A group of 34 Afghan asylum seekers returned home on Thursday after being deported from Germany the day before, an official said, a move that was made possible after a recent Afghan-Germany deal to stem the influx into the European country. Fifty were scheduled to be on the plane but in six cases courts intervened in the …

Germany opened its doors to refugees a year ago, but some residents have had enough
8 years, 6 months ago

Germany opened its doors to refugees a year ago, but some residents have had enough

LA Times  

Anti-refugee activists clad in black quickly scaled the 85-foot-high Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Germany’s capital and attached a giant banner atop the monument reading: “Secure the borders — Secure the future.” The early-morning takeover of the country’s best-known landmark a week ago didn’t last long: Dozens of heavily armed police brought down the 15 activists after less than …

German voters batter Merkel over migrant policy
9 years ago

German voters batter Merkel over migrant policy

China Daily  

BERLIN - Voters punished Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives in three German regional elections on Sunday, giving a thumbs-down to her open-door refugee policy and turning in droves to the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany. A carnival float with papier-mache caricatures mocking Bavarian Governor Horst Seehofer and German Chancellor Angela Merkel is displayed at a postponed "Rosenmontag" parade, at one location in …

German parliament toughens asylum rules in a bid to reduce influx of migrants
9 years, 1 month ago

German parliament toughens asylum rules in a bid to reduce influx of migrants

Firstpost  

The German parliament on Thursday approved new measures to tighten asylum rules in an effort to stem an unprecedented influx of migrants. Berlin: The German parliament on Thursday approved new measures to tighten asylum rules in an effort to stem an unprecedented influx of migrants. The new rules also lower the hurdles for the expulsion of convicted foreigners – a …

40 percent of Germans want Merkel to quit over refugees
9 years, 1 month ago

40 percent of Germans want Merkel to quit over refugees

Al Jazeera  

New poll shows dissatisfaction with Chancellor’s welcoming stance towards asylum seekers from Middle East and Africa. Forty percent of Germans want Chancellor Angela Merkel to quit over her refugee policy after nearly 1.1 million refugees have arrived in the country in the past year, according to a new poll. The poll for Focus magazine, conducted by the independent opinion research …

Germany to fast-track deportations of economic migrants so it can accept more refugees
9 years, 5 months ago

Germany to fast-track deportations of economic migrants so it can accept more refugees

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Germany will begin accelerating deportations …

Refugee crisis: Angela Merkel signals deportation of economic migrants from Germany as EC President Jean-Claude Juncker calls for migration summit
9 years, 5 months ago

Refugee crisis: Angela Merkel signals deportation of economic migrants from Germany as EC President Jean-Claude Juncker calls for migration summit

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government has …

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