Berlin (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Germany has put a hold on accepting new refugees through a UN resettlement program while awaiting the results of coalition negotiations and the formation of a new government, the German press agency DPA reported.
The DPA’s report stated that almost all resettlement applications will be suspended until the new government comes into power, with only “well advanced” cases expected to move forward.
DPA observed that Germany had earlier pledged to assist 13,100 refugees in 2024 and 2025, with 5,061 individuals already benefiting from the program.
How will party tensions shape Germany’s migration policy?
As reported, migration has sparked heated debates during coalition negotiations between Germany’s conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democrats. In response to increasing backing for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party and a number of violent occurrences involving refugees, conservatives are pushing for a tougher stance on asylum seekers.
During the ongoing coalition discussions, which are still not finalized, both parties have reached a preliminary agreement to eliminate voluntary federal refugee admission programs wherever feasible and refrain from initiating any new ones. Reuters reported.
The interior ministry reports that Germany aims to provide as many as 6,560 spots in an EU resettlement initiative this year. This program generally welcomes refugees from diverse nationalities or those without a nationality, hailing from nations like Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, and Libya.
What’s behind Berlin’s freeze on asylum programs?
DW reported that Post-election surveys show that asylum and migration were pivotal factors in voters’ choices. As of the end of 2023, around 3.2 million people living in Germany arrived in the country as refugees, including more than one million Ukrainians. The second-largest group is Syrians.
In 2024, around 270,000 new asylum applications are anticipated. However, the majority of these applications are denied. By the end of 2023, Germany had approximately 44,000 recognized asylum seekers. In contrast, a much larger number received temporary protection. Nearly 745,000 individuals were granted status under the Geneva Refugee Convention, while another 326,000 are under subsidiary protection due to causes like civil war in their home countries.
Presently, there are half a million refugee applications awaiting processing. The Interior Ministry reports that nearly 227,000 individuals in Germany have received orders for deportation. Nevertheless, deportation for 80% of these individuals has been temporarily halted due to various obstacles.
