Press review
“There can be no talk of a ‘milestone'”: Media comment on the EU asylum reform
Many German media commentators believe that the EU asylum reform is not enough to stop people from traveling to the EU
© Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via ZUMA Press / DPA
The EU is committed to reforming the Common European asylum system agreed. But German media are pretty sure: that won’t be enough.
German media comment on the EU asylum reform:
Augsburger Allgemeine:
“Now experienced Europe a turning point. The EU is massively tightening the rules to curb irregular immigration. The hardliners have prevailed. Nevertheless, the expectations of many crisis-exhausted citizens can only be disappointed. In times of overcrowded gyms and overwhelmed communities, their longing for a quick solution is understandable. But even in the best case scenario, the effects of this reform will only be felt in the distant future. In less favorable scenarios, deaths in the Mediterranean continue. The suffering of refugees could even increase if even traumatized minors suddenly find themselves in detention-like camps.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung:
“The border procedures that are now to be introduced are a first step to at least sort out those who come from countries where there is little persecution upon entry. (…) This course correction is as inhumane as the refugee associations portray it they don’t. (…) The most important effect that can come from the new border procedures is that the pull effect of previous practice is reduced. The EU must counteract the expectation that a successful arrival almost always leads to a right of residence in the end. ( …) The new system will only work if the countries on the external border enforce it and cooperation with countries of origin and transit works. The EU has not been good at either of these so far. This reform was certainly not the last. (…)”
Frankfurter Rundschau:
“The federal government speaks of ‘humanity and order’, but neither one nor the other will be achieved with this reform. It is pure wishful thinking when those responsible in Berlin declare that they will Geas The deaths on the Mediterranean and the lawlessness at the external borders could come to an end. There is nothing to suggest that the regulations adopted will contribute to this. The EU is running away from its responsibility.
Migration 2023
Most refugees come to Germany from these countries
Not even the calculation of being able to counter the racist parties in the European elections will work. Because in the end, right-wing politics always strengthens those who have just been waiting for it on the far right – and who turn the mood into votes.”
The bell:
“The fact that the EU has finally agreed on an asylum reform after years of tough debates is undoubtedly progress. What is positive is that there will be uniform procedures at the external borders and that the burden of caring for refugees should be distributed more fairly between the states . Countries that do not want to accept refugees will have to provide financial support in the future and cannot shirk their obligations as before. However, there can be no question of a ‘milestone’, as some EU politicians call the reform, because some measures are likely turn out to be less effective in practice than they sound in theory.”
Southwest Press:
“Those who are allowed to come to Europe should be distributed in solidarity. Bet that that won’t work either? Some countries buy their way out, others ignore the rules. If everything works out, there should actually be hardly any reasons for deportation, but the deportation measures will nevertheless tightened. The ‘repatriation’ numbers will increase, just certainly not to the extent that the majority of Germans are satisfied with. The expansion of Europe into a fortress will only solve a few problems, but will create new ones. What is, for example , if the people in the asylum centers at the EU borders don’t want to wait for their procedure to end? Will weapons then be used? But new ideas are already there. Why not sell asylum seekers to countries in Africa? The next EUAsylum reform will definitely come.”
The world:
“It won’t stay with Geas. Geas is just the first step towards a third country solution based on the Australian model. All refugees are immediately taken to Papua New Guinea, where their asylum application is processed. (…) There will be a similar regulation in the EU. Most member states are in favor of this. The Greens in the federal government in particular are still cautious and have already blocked this path once, to the annoyance of neighboring countries.
But the federal government will change its mind. Even she is slowly realizing that her false understanding of coming to terms with the past and her moral megalomania in the refugee crisis are endangering the stability of society.”