Bundestag discusses government’s security package for the first time

Status: 12.09.2024 13:00

After the attack in Solingen, the government has introduced several security policy measures. The Bundestag is now discussing them. The Union believes the proposals do not go far enough.

For the first time, the Bundestag has discussed an asylum and security package that the government had presented after the suspected Islamist knife attack in Solingen. The necessary consequences must be drawn from the violent act, said Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) in parliament. “That is what we are doing with today’s legislative package.” This fulfills “the fundamental promise of a democratic state to ensure the freedom and security of its citizens.”

The minister stressed: “We must not and will not allow this promise to be called into question by violent extremists.” At the same time, however, Faeser made it clear that there can be no “one hundred percent security in a free, open state.”

Parts of the package must also be approved by the Federal Council

The two draft laws introduced by the federal government contain three pillars: Firstly, social benefits for asylum seekers who are required to leave the country are to be reduced and in some cases even eliminated. Secondly, the powers of the security authorities in the fight against radical Islamism are to be strengthened, especially in investigations on the Internet. And thirdly, gun laws are to be tightened with regard to knives.

It is still unclear when the laws will be passed by the Bundestag in second and third reading. Parts of the package still have to be passed by the Bundesrat. The controversial issue of border controls and rejections of asylum seekers is not addressed in the drafts.

A proposal by the Union parties for comprehensive rejections of asylum seekers at all German land borders was referred to the committees for further discussions by the majority of the traffic light coalition.

Joint talks between the Union and the government on migration policy failed this week. CDU leader Friedrich Merz had called for comprehensive rejections of refugees at the border – including asylum seekers. The government has legal concerns and referred to the case law of the European Court of Justice.

Faeser emphasizes Willingness to talk towards Union

“We had very good discussions,” said the Interior Minister, addressing the Union – and added: “The door is always open.” However, the discussions apparently “did not reflect what was in Mr. Merz’s script.” Measures must be “legally possible and actually implementable,” emphasized Faeser. If they are not enforceable, “we are fooling the people.”

The two draft laws that were introduced contained “many sensible measures that we can certainly support,” said Union parliamentary manager Thorsten Frei (CDU) following Faeser’s speech. The Union will therefore “support these in a constructive manner.” Frei stressed: “We have an interest in the parts that really ensure more security in Germany going through parliament quickly.”

Merz makes new offer to government

At the same time, the Union politician did not hold back on criticism: The legislative package “contains a lot of important things, but what is missing is also important.” It is necessary “to stop illegal migration to Germany as much as possible,” Frei continued. To achieve this, rejections at the border are “the only effective means.”

At the same time, CDU leader Friedrich Merz made a new offer to the traffic light government: He proposed that rejections be made for three months from October 1, the opposition leader told the Funke media group. This would have a signaling effect and would greatly reduce the influx into Germany in a very short time. “After the three months, we will take stock.” The federal government will perhaps then realise that this is the right way to go.

Faeser justifies border controls to the EU Commission

Meanwhile, it has become known that Faeser justified the expansion of controls to all German borders in a letter to the EU Commission with the migration and security situation. The resources of the federal and state governments for receiving and caring for refugees are “almost exhausted” and “reaching the limits of what is affordable,” Faeser wrote.

An “overburdening of the (solidary) community” must be prevented. “The creation of additional accommodation is not possible indefinitely,” wrote Faeser in the letter, which is dated Monday, when the minister announced the expansion of border controls. “No country in the world can take in an unlimited number of refugees.” And the migration pressure is expected to “remain undiminished.”

Dublin Agreement

According to the Dublin Agreement, refugees must apply for asylum in the EU country in which they first entered the European Union. Only one EU state should be responsible for an asylum procedure and it should be avoided that asylum applications are submitted in several EU states.

In certain cases, however, other countries can take over the implementation of the asylum procedure – for example for humanitarian reasons. The Dublin Agreement has been in force since September 1, 1997.

“In addition to the dangers posed by Islamist terrorism,” “recent incidents of knife-related and violent crimes committed by refugees have led to a massive impairment of the feeling of security and internal peace,” Faeser continued. She also criticized “the increasing dysfunctionality” of the so-called Dublin system in Europe – the agreement that refugees must apply for asylum in the country where they first set foot on European soil.

The minister appealed to Brussels “that we continue to work together energetically and forcefully to achieve visible and rapid progress here.”

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