Advertisement

CDU base turns on Merkel over refugees

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
CDU base turns on Merkel over refugees
Photo: DPA

Chancellor Angela Merkel was sharply criticized by own party for her refugee polices during a regional congress in east Germany on Wednesday.

Advertisement

Members of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) accused her of breaking promises and warned of a "national catastrophe" if the influx of refugees is not stopped.

The Bundestag (German parliament) is set to pass laws narrowing the right to asylum on Thursday.

The package of laws to be passed will establish the west Balkan countries of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro as "safe countries“, making it virtually impossible for people from the region to be granted asylum in Germany.

The laws also include a strengthening of non-cash benefits for asylum seekers and the reduction of benefits for those whose applications have been rejected.

Asylum seekers who are seen as having a strong case will also be provided with integration courses before their applications have been granted.

Wide support for the bill is expected in the Bundestag, and it is set to face the Bundesrat (the upper house) on Friday.

Yearly cost estimated at €45 billion

Experts from the Kiel Institute for Global Economics (IfW) estimate that the annual costs for supporting refugees will be around €45 billion.

Matthias Lücke of the IfW said at a conference in Kiel on Wednesday that this meant that tax increases were likely in the medium term.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also