Frequent clashes over how Germany should deal with the estimated 800,000 to 1 million refugees expected this year, are putting at risk the country’s ability to act.
Refugees intending to walk to the Austrian border
Angela Merkel, the leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and German chancellor, has been enhancing an open-door policy for migrants, alleging that the country can handle the situation. For this reason, CDU has been having a series of disputes with the Christian Social Union (CSU) and his leader Horst Seehofer in Bavaria, the entry point in Germany for many of the migrants, who stated that the existence of the conservative bloc was at stake if Merkel did not strengthen her asylum policy.
The recent disputes between both parties are creating an uncertainty atmosphere for refugees who are waiting for their legal establishment in Germany and for those who are still trying to reach the country, Sigmar Gabriel, German vice chancellor said.
Thomas Kreuzer, head of the CSU in Bavaria’s regional parliament, informed of an agreement between Germany and Austria on a procedure to cope with the continuous arrivals of migrants coming into the southern state. By means of this measure, 50 migrants could cross the border into Bavaria through the 5 legal crossing points deployed by both nations.
CSU representatives are also considering the idea of creating “transit zones” to start the filtering of illegal migrants who have no chance to get a legal asylum in Germany.
In opposition to this, members of the Social Democracy claimed they won’t accept the creation of such zones due to the refusal of enhancing right-wing anti migrant policies.
Written by Lisbeth Mechter