Migration policy: Union says traffic light security plan does not go far enough

The Union considers the package of measures proposed by the traffic light coalition to protect against Islamist terror and irregular migration to be inadequate. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (both SPD), however, defended the plans as a consequence of the knife attack in Solingen that left three dead and eight injured. Faeser also said he was open to further steps after talks with the Union and the states. Tuesday is being discussed as a date. At the same time, the parliamentary investigation into the Solingen attack is gaining momentum.

According to the coalition’s plans, benefits for migrants who are the responsibility of another European state that has agreed to take them back are to be cut. Criminals should be easier to deport. Faeser announced in the evening on ARD’s “Tagesthemen” that “very soon” criminals and dangerous people would also be deported to Syria and Afghanistan. There is also to be a general ban on knives on long-distance buses and trains, at festivals and other large events. In the fight against Islamism, investigative authorities should be able to compare publicly available images biometrically with photos of suspects or wanted persons.

Scholz urges haste, Faeser open for more

Chancellor Scholz is counting on the measures being implemented quickly. He said on the sidelines of a citizens’ dialogue in Seelow, Brandenburg: “It is good that it happened so quickly, so precisely, and I am glad that these measures could be presented today.” They should now be put into action quickly.

Faeser called the traffic light package on ARD a “hard reaction” to the attack. She is counting on agreement with the Union. It is important that all levels of government “stand together strongly” here. She is happy to accept offers of talks and takes them seriously. Further measures will be discussed very openly. “I am not ruling out some things,” said Faeser when asked about possible further measures.

Union’s traffic light package does not go far enough

“There is nothing wrong in the paper presented, but unfortunately it is not the necessary measures,” said CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann about the traffic light plans. With regard to the talks with the government, he stressed in the “Rheinische Post”: “If the federal government is interested in serious talks, the issues of rejections at the border, application of the Dublin principle and consistent deportations must be on the table on Tuesday.”

The first parliamentary manager of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Thorsten Frei (CDU), also said in the “Bild” newspaper: “The traffic light proposals are far from sufficient for a fundamental change in migration policy and internal security.” CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt announced a detailed review of the traffic light coalition’s package of measures. “Obviously, things are now possible that the traffic light coalition has always rejected so far,” the CSU politician told the German Press Agency.

NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) is counting on a close alliance with the SPD. “This is not a technical problem, but the question of whether we can achieve a consensus between the major parties so that we can change more of the law,” Reul told the TV station Phoenix. In the past, they were often at odds with each other. “Whenever someone made a suggestion about immigration, others attacked them.” Given the security situation, these times must be a thing of the past.

FDP appeals to the Union

The Liberals expect constructive cooperation from the Union. “It is important now that the democratic parties cooperate closely with each other at all levels of government,” said FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr to the dpa. It cannot be done without the states. “I therefore appeal to the CDU and CSU to pull together with us and work constructively on the rapid implementation of the security package,” said Dürr.

Greens with approval and partial scepticism

Green Party interior expert Lamya Kaddor emphasized in the “Tagesspiegel” that the paper shows “that the traffic light coalition remains capable of taking action on issues of internal security, even in times of massive threats from within and without.” Green Party parliamentary group leader Britta Haßelmann, however, expressed skepticism to the Bavarian media group about the plan to cut benefits for asylum seekers for whom another European state would be responsible, which has agreed to take them back.

Bundestag Interior Committee and NRW State Parliament discuss assassination attempt

Barely a week after the attack in Solingen, the federal government and the investigating Federal Prosecutor General are to report to the Bundestag’s Interior Committee. Union parliamentary group vice-chair Andrea Lindholz (CSU) told the dpa: “Ms. Faeser must not leave any questions unanswered tomorrow and must explain in detail what consequences she intends to draw from the attack.” The causes of the terrible terrorist act must be fully clarified.

Green Party deputy Konstantin von Notz told the dpa that many of the backgrounds to the horrific crime were still unknown. They now needed to be thoroughly and quickly clarified. Security policy deficits finally needed to be tackled with great political determination, warned von Notz, who is also chairman of the Bundestag’s intelligence control committee.

Steinmeier attends the funeral

In North Rhine-Westphalia, Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) will inform the state parliament this morning in a special session about the findings so far regarding the attack. At the beginning of the plenary session, the MPs will commemorate the victims of the attack with a minute’s silence.

In the attack, the perpetrator killed three visitors to the town festival in Solingen with a knife and injured eight other people. A 26-year-old man from Syria, who came to Germany as a refugee via Bulgaria, is suspected of the attack. A memorial service is planned in Solingen on Sunday, which Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will also attend. He wants to give a speech there and then lay a wreath at the site of the attack and silently remember the victims.