Accra/Rabat/Berlin

Almost a week before the federal-federal summit on migration, senior politicians from the CDU/CSU and the FDP started a debate on asylum procedures outside Europe.

The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst (CDU), and the leader of the FDP parliamentary group, Christian Dürr, spoke in favor of seriously discussing such a step. In the SPD there is also sympathy for the idea. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (both SPD) were skeptical during their trips to Africa.

“Polite advice” from Scholz to the Union and the FDP

When making proposals of this kind, one must first ask what the third countries that must carry out the procedures say about them, Scholz said in Ghana, West Africa. “At least that would be polite advice.”

During his visit to Morocco, Faeser affirmed that the immigration agreements planned by the traffic light government with the different countries of origin of the asylum seekers were “more effective.” The goal is to facilitate the return of immigrants without the right to remain in Germany and at the same time promote the immigration of qualified workers. Scholz and Faeser have been promoting these deals in recent days on their simultaneous trips to Africa. The Foreign Minister of Nigeria and Ghana, Faeser of Morocco.

Wüst calls for asylum procedures on escape routes

Meanwhile, North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Wüst spoke in an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” in favor of examining asylum procedures outside Europe. After their arrival in Europe, the refugees should be taken to partner countries along escape routes “so that procedures and protection there can be carried out according to the rule of law,” the CDU politician told the newspaper. . “This means that those who cannot expect protected status will not come to our country in the first place.”

On November 6, the prime ministers of the federal states want to discuss with Scholz how to curb irregular migration and finance the costs of caring for refugees in Germany. A preliminary debate will take place on Friday between Scholz and the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Friedrich Merz (CDU), and the leader of the CSU regional group, Alexander Dobrindt. The Chancellor is striving to reach an agreement with the Union. A first conversation has already been had with Merz. But the meeting with the Prime Minister next Monday is crucial.

Dürr: “It is a question of humanity”

He received the support of the ruling FDP party. Parliamentary group leader Dürr told the newspaper “SZ” that his party is also in favor of carrying out asylum procedures in third countries outside the EU. “Such a regulation would clarify the protection status and prevent people from taking the dangerous route across the Mediterranean without prospects. This is also a matter of humanity.”

SPD MP: Previous measures are “an inadequate mosaic”

Some SPD members in the Bundestag also support asylum procedures outside Europe. According to “SZ”, Frank Schwabe, Lars Castellucci and Fabian Funke have prepared a joint proposal that they want to present to the parliamentary group. Many of the measures currently being discussed are simply “an inadequate patchwork without a big impact on the numbers,” Schwabe told the newspaper. Therefore, an agreement with the countries of origin is quickly needed.

“The concept also includes that drowning people are rescued by the state and are no longer beaten at the borders. But the asylum procedure is no longer carried out in Europe,” Schwabe said. “Anyone who arrives at the external borders will have the asylum procedure carried out outside Europe.”

Scholz warns: keep a “clear head.”

By contrast, Scholz said in Accra, Ghana’s capital, that “a lot of things were proposed every day.” “The most important thing is to always keep a clear head.” When you need partners, you first have to check “if they also want to cooperate.”

British pressure to halt asylum procedures in Rwanda initially halted

The British government has already made its first concrete push for asylum procedures. He wants to send migrants permanently to Rwanda so they can receive protection there. However, the High Court, a British high court, declared the action illegal. The Conservative government has lodged an appeal against this. It is unclear when the decision can be expected.

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s plans call for people who have entered the UK irregularly – regardless of their origin and without examining their asylum claims – to be detained and deported to Rwanda as soon as possible. Then you should apply for asylum there. There are no plans to return to Britain.

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