Olaf Scholz reiterated on Wednesday: "controlling and limiting irregular migration" is a priority for Germany. The authorities have therefore decided to strengthen measures to combat illegal immigration.

The Chancellor and the leaders of the 16 states-regions announced several provisions after a lengthy discussion. The increase in arrivals of asylum seekers and refugees is indeed testing the reception capacities of municipalities.

High in asylum applications

In the first four months of the year, 101,981 asylum applications were filed in Germany, an increase of 78% compared to the same period in 2022. Compared to 2019, the number of arrivals increased by 50%. While the average processing time for an asylum application is currently 26 months, the authorities want to speed up the procedure to expel rejected applicants more quickly, including a modernization of the computer processing of files.

Regulatory changes are also planned to facilitate deportations: expansion of the possibility of maintaining and ordering detention with a view to deportation, the maximum period of detention with a view to removal from the country is to be increased from 10 to 28 days.

The issue of permanent border controls

On the other hand, the Federal Government and the regions have not decided to introduce permanent border controls with neighbouring countries, but have not ruled it out if necessary. However, the reintroduction of these controls in the Schengen area is only allowed in exceptional circumstances.

Berlin is also banking on its ability to forge "new migratory partnerships" with the countries of origin of foreigners: it is a question of "facilitating the arrival of qualified personnel from these countries, but in return, to conclude very clear agreements on the return" of those who will be rejected, explained Olaf Scholz.

AfD up in polls

These decisions come in a context of rising far right. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is credited with around 15% of voting intentions in the polls, compared to 10.3% obtained in the last general elections in 2021.

Germany has also become the EU country hosting the most Ukrainians in recent days, with more than a million refugees. This has had an impact on housing and available places in the education system. The regions and municipalities are therefore asking for aid from the federal state.

This battle over the financing of reception has found a temporary solution with the commitment of the State, Wednesday, to pay an additional billion to the Länder. A long-term solution is to be prepared by a working group and adopted in November. The Länder want to return to the old system of lump sum payments by the federal state, which increases automatically if the number of asylum seekers increases. They also want 100% of the refugees' accommodation to be taken care of, compared to the current 75%.

  • Germany
  • World
  • Olaf Scholz
  • Immigration
  • Illegal immigration