Nancy Faeser: Interior Minister withdraws “Albania model” into consideration

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After months of review, Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser shows sympathy for the so-called Albania model and distances herself from the Rwanda model. “I look forward to seeing what Italy does together with Albania”said the SPD politician in an interview with star.

Unlike the much-discussed Rwanda model, Italy wants to handle the asylum procedures in Albania itself, which is something different, says Faeser. “This is an interesting model that I am discussing with my Italian counterpart”says the Interior Minister. She is pragmatic in her migration policy. “However, I doubt whether asylum procedures could take place on a larger scale in a small country like Rwanda.”

Faeser continues: “How many refugees has Rwanda taken in so far for other countries? Britain is having a hard time here, to say the least.” It is much more important to continue to focus on better protection of external borders and faster procedures, as provided for in the EU asylum law reform.

The federal government is currently examining whether and under what circumstances asylum procedures in third countries would be legally possible. But the key question still remains: “Which state would be willing to accept refugees in large numbers? Which country would ensure the safety of these people and, if rejected, return them? And all of this while respecting human rights”said Faeser.

Nancy Faeser: “Cuts to security agencies are out of the question”

In conversation with the star The Interior Minister also commented on the 2025 budget and rejected austerity measures. “I need the necessary resources to ensure that the security authorities are able to meet the challenges. That is why cuts to our security authorities are out of the question for me”said the SPD politician.

With regard to the upcoming budget negotiations, the minister stated: “I am confident that everyone is aware of how important internal security is in these times.” In addition to the Federal Minister of Finance, the Federal Chancellor also recently called on the Cabinet to comply with the austerity targets.

“A turning point also means: Germany’s security must be the benchmark”Faeser explains the additional spending announced by her department. They need to defend themselves against more and more cyberattacks, control borders more tightly and for longer, and speed up asylum procedures. “All of this requires personnel and technology. This doesn’t come for free”said the Interior Minister.

Faeser stressed that she had long been prioritizing tasks and was constantly checking where spending could be cut. Further cuts would be at the expense of all those areas that did not directly serve internal security. “When budgets are tight, we have to concentrate on what the federal government is responsible for. When it comes to digitization, for example, the states have to do more”demanded the minister.