Should and may the district of Erding interfere in big world politics?
A dispute between the Greens district assembly and District Administrator Martin Bayerstorfer (CSU) has grown up around this question.
There is even talk of a lack of democracy.
Erding - In September last year, the hopelessly overcrowded refugee camp in Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos went up in flames.
Thousands of asylum seekers have been left homeless.
On October 19, the Greens had submitted two applications to deal with the humanitarian disaster at the EU's external border in the district council.
Nothing has happened since then, and it will probably stay that way.
After a fire in the refugee camp in Moria: the federal government wants to take over 1,500 refugees
The Greens wanted the district council to “resolve its willingness to support the federal government in distributing children and particularly vulnerable refugees”.
Florian Geiger also demanded on behalf of his parliamentary group that the district should "examine its competencies as a health and educational region as well as the possibilities of the clinic and the youth welfare office".
In other words: Erding should take in refugees from the Greek hotspot.
In September the federal government approved the admission of 1,500 Moria migrants.
In a second application, the Greens ask that the district should take a stand "against the criminalization of civilian sea rescue in the Mediterranean", join the "Seebrücke Initiative" and declare itself a "safe haven", just like over 230 German municipalities and districts .
That would also mean taking in refugees from the Mediterranean.
Admission of Moria refugees: District administrator rejects requests from the Greens
Geiger: “If our district welcomed even a person or family rescued from distress at sea, that would not only be a real help, but also an important sign in Europe that we can make a small contribution at all levels and that we are involved in sea rescue Concerns the Mediterranean at all levels in Europe. "
Geiger criticizes the fact that Bayerstorfer refuses to put both motions even on the agenda of the district council - on the grounds that both concerns exclusively concern matters of the state district that are beyond the control of the district council as a municipal body.
The Greens spokesman is convinced: "Both applications respect the authority's responsibilities." It is precisely the content of the applications to "direct an urgent appeal to the superior authorities to keep humanitarian aid going and to offer offers from the district underpin ".
Geiger refers to numerous districts that do not see these hurdles.
District of Erding: Greens demand the admission of Moria refugees - old dispute breaks out again
At this point, the dispute that has been smoldering for years between some parliamentary groups and the CSU, or the district administrator, over refugee policy breaks out again.
Geiger criticizes: "Every day practicable opportunities are missed in the district to improve the living conditions of asylum seekers here." Now Bayerstorfer is violating "essential democratic rules if he does not even allow the district council to be discussed".
This shows compassion in the interpretation and implementation of state requirements.
Geiger recalls that more than 1,300 refugees drowned or were missing while fleeing across the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe in 2019.
Last year it was just under 1200.
"The Mediterranean remains the deadliest external border in Europe," said the group spokesman.
Almost 20,000 refugees are currently waiting on the Greek islands - in camps designed for a mere 5,500 people.
The conditions there are inhuman.
So there is a need for action - also in Erding.
Admission of Moria refugees: The district of Erding was not allowed to, even if it wanted to
District Office Spokeswoman Claudia Fiebrandt-Kirmeyer explains: "A direct admission of refugees from the Mediterranean to the district of Erding is also not possible in the absence of any legal norms." regardless of how they got to Germany.
She goes on to report: "All mayors have spoken out against an additional admission of refugees beyond what is legally stipulated."
Meanwhile, the store openings in the Erding district wobble.
Because the seven-day incidence on Monday was 47.8.
Just under 50, the limit of unlimited shopping and the requirement that schools open again in a week.
And a company from Wartenberg is in the focus of serious allegations: The managing director admits to having threatened employees who wanted to be tested for Corona.
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our new, regular Erding newsletter.
(ham)
