Asylum Dispute: Austria Clearly Rejects German Deportation Plans
In Germany, CDU/CSU and SPD are negotiating a possible government coalition. Part of their migration policy is the planned rejection of asylum seekers at the German borders – but only in coordination with the respective neighboring countries. Austria has now clearly rejected this plan.
Vienna: Rejections Contradict EU Law
The Austrian Ministry of the Interior stated to the German Press Agency (dpa) that such rejections are contrary to EU law and would not be accepted. "The Ministry of the Interior has therefore instructed the affected state police directorates not to accept entry refusals by the German authorities that are contrary to EU law and to report any observations immediately," it was stated from Vienna.
Austria Plans Its Own Tightening in Migration Policy
The Austrian government, consisting of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, is pursuing a restrictive course in asylum policy itself. Among other things, family reunification for those entitled to protection is to be temporarily suspended. Germany also plans similar measures for refugees with limited protection status. Additionally, the Austrian government reserves the right to activate the EU emergency clause and not accept any new applications if asylum numbers rise.
Rejections at Borders Possible Unilaterally
According to a media report, the CDU wants to turn away migrants and asylum seekers at the German borders if necessary, even without the consent of neighboring countries. "It has been agreed between CDU/CSU and SPD that there will be rejections at the German borders even in the case of an asylum application," said Thorsten Frei, Parliamentary Secretary of the Union faction, according to a preliminary report in "Bild". Meanwhile, Austria emphasized that it would not accept those turned away.
"We are seeking a path in consensus with our European neighbors. Therefore, from the first day, we will not only significantly expand border controls and increase the number of rejections, but also initiate an intensive dialogue process with our neighbors," Frei stated. Stopping illegal migration is not only a domestic but also a primary foreign policy goal.
Austria Does Not Accept Those Turned Away
According to the preliminary report, Union insiders said that the exploratory paper from CDU, CSU, and SPD deliberately stated rejections at the borders only "in coordination with the European neighbors," not "in agreement." CDU party leader Friedrich Merz has announced internally that he will speak with neighboring countries before taking office. Merz wants to significantly expand rejections at the borders from the first day of the new government, the newspaper further reports, citing people in the Union leadership. However, this should not immediately affect asylum seekers.
The Austrian Ministry of the Interior stated on Monday that it welcomes "the change of course and Germany's announcement to proceed only in coordination with neighboring states." Austria emphasized further that it would not accept any persons turned away from Germany. "Should the declining asylum numbers in Austria rise again, we will activate the asylum emergency clause, which can suspend the right to asylum."
(APA/Red)
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