Hattmannsdorfer Praises Increased Controls at German Borders

"I am glad and grateful that there is also a paradigm shift in migration policy in Germany. I consider this absolutely right," he said in the podcast of Table.Briefings. "We do not need social tourism. We must be able to selectively choose who comes to us," he emphasized.

In the end, it is about securing the European external borders. "Those who really need asylum must always have a place in Europe. But those who abuse the right to asylum to immigrate for economic reasons, we do not need," said the Upper Austrian politician.

German border controls "absolutely right" according to Hattmannsdorfer

The new German government ordered an intensification of border controls with all neighboring countries last week, including Austria. At the same time, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindtan ordered that asylum seekers should also be able to be turned back at the border. However, this should not apply to pregnant women, children, and other members of vulnerable groups.

The German border controls have been viewed critically in Austria for years. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) welcomed the German efforts in the fight against illegal migration last week, but at the same time insisted on compliance with European law. Karner repeatedly stated that Austria would not tolerate any illegal rejections by Germany. Upper Austrian Integration Councillor Christian Dörfel (ÖVP) also said last week that "unilateral pushbacks" by Germany would not be accepted.

(APA/Red)

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