The heads of government of the federal states discuss asylum policy and the situation of the municipalities in Leipzig. A controversial point at the Prime Minister’s Conference is the increase in the broadcasting fee.
Before the heads of government discuss additional measures in asylum policy in Leipzig, the Union-led federal states are pushing for a tougher course. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder once again called for a “real migration turnaround” in “Bild”. “Anyone who refuses to comply with the will of the population only strengthens the extreme fringes and weakens our democracy – the recent state elections in the East have shown this and no one can want that,” said the CSU politician.
The number of arriving refugees is still too high, explained Michael Kretschmer, CDU Prime Minister of the host state Saxony. The state leaders can agree on demands that they then address to the federal government. The Prime Minister’s Conference will discuss, among other things, rejections at the border, greater security of the EU’s external borders and asylum procedures in countries outside the EU.
Bremen’s mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) rejected the demand for rejections at the German borders in an interview with the editorial network Germany (RND): “Many measures can be discussed to limit irregular migration. The rejection at the German border demanded by the Union belongs but expressly not about that.” If it becomes the rule that every country solves its problems unrestrainedly at the expense of others, “then Europe will blow up in our faces.”
Rhine for deportations of criminals to Syria and Afghanistan
Hesse’s Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) spoke out in favor of deporting criminals to Syria and Afghanistan as well as arresting criminals who are obliged to leave the country and those at risk who cannot be deported. Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate demanded more flexibility from the federal government in financing refugee accommodation.
The Prime Ministers had already made decisions on migration in the past, which were finally implemented. This includes, for example, the introduction of a payment card for asylum seekers.
Agreement on broadcasting funding still pending
A sensitive point at the meeting on Thursday and Friday is the discussions on public broadcasting. It’s about reforms in the institutions – and about the money from broadcasters like ARD and ZDF from next year. The responsible commission for determining the financial needs of broadcasters (KEF) has recommended an increase in the broadcasting fee by 58 cents to 18.94 euros per month from January. The states must unanimously decide on a plus. However, there is resistance to the increase, for example from Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt.
The campaign organization Campact has announced a protest for Friday. She opposes the planned cuts in public broadcasting programs and the possible closure of TV and radio stations.
Meetings with disability representatives and municipalities
Another topic will be the financial situation of the municipalities. On Friday, the presidents of the municipal umbrella associations are invited as guests to the Prime Minister’s Conference. There is also a meeting in Leipzig with the federal and state commissioners for disabled people as well as representatives of inclusion associations.
Increased security precautions at the conference location
The police are planning extensive protection and traffic measures around the conference venue, the congress hall at the zoo. Buses and trams cannot run at certain times and the footpath and cycle path directly in front of the hall will be closed off. In addition, flying drones and other flying objects near the event location is prohibited.
Source: Stern
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