Germany plans to tighten rules for refugees: what awaits Ukrainians.

Germany discusses stricter rules for refugees

The German government is discussing stricter rules for refugees, but cannot reach an agreement on radical measures. This became known following the annual conference of the prime ministers of the federal states, which ended on October 25 in Leipzig, reports Deutsche Welle.

The agenda included proposals to abolish the individual right to asylum, ban the entry of refugees to Germany, reduce aid to Ukrainian refugees, and expand the list of safe countries.

There was also a discussion about accelerated deportation of individuals denied asylum, not only to safe countries but also to states such as Syria and Afghanistan.

The proposed measures aim for a radical reduction in the influx of illegal migrants arriving in Germany and seeking asylum. It is expected that their number will reach 200,000 this year (this figure does not include refugees from Ukraine, who have a special status).

According to the Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil, the issue of migration is actively used for polarizing society in the context of an election campaign. "We must pragmatically work on feasible measures and not turn the conference into a battleground for electoral competition," he emphasized.

The only specific decision was to extend indefinitely the border control that was introduced this autumn on all land borders of Germany. However, under current legislation, German border guards cannot refuse entry to an individual who is seeking asylum directly at the checkpoint.

Main hopes are pinned on the European Union, whose member states agreed last summer to change the procedure for granting asylum and temporary protection in the EU. Prime ministers expect quick actions from Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government in this direction.

Conservative politicians, such as the Prime Minister of Hesse, Boris Rhein, insist on tougher measures, including banning border crossing, denying family reunification, and detaining migrants subject to deportation.

Despite differing perspectives, all prime ministers agreed that the influx of refugees should be reduced, and continue to search for specific tools to achieve this goal.

Germany plans to change aid for refugees from Ukraine

It has also become known how Germany plans to change aid for refugees from Ukraine.