Jens Spahn (CDU) on "Markus Lanz" in conversation with Middle East expert Kristin Helberg. © Markus Hertrich/ZDF
"Markus Lanz" and his guests are looking for a solution to the asylum debate.
Hamburg – Most countries are currently reacting to the current influx of refugees by isolating themselves. Markus Lanz wants to know from Jens Spahn what the German path should look like and what he thinks of the European solution that was decided at the refugee summit.
Spahn welcomes this proposal, which, according to his statement, the CDU had put forward years ago. Lanz then reports that Germany registered almost 15,000 refugees in January, while the Portuguese (200) and Hungarians (5), on the other hand, took in almost no one. The moderator asks whether this is what a European solution looks like.
Spahn calls for stronger border controls in Europe
"That's not it," Spahn countered, calling for stronger border controls and a European requirement for social benefits, as Germany attracts many people with its relatively high salaries.
Kristin Helberg criticises the former health minister for understanding migration as a threat, even though we depend on immigration. The journalist would also reject some of the refugees, but at the same time allow them to immigrate to the EU legally.
Jens Spahn calls for more EU border fences at "Markus Lanz"
Spahn says afterwards that he only wants to control the migration. In this context, the politician would like to see the EU's external border more clearly identified as such. Lanz asks why this should suddenly succeed when it has been a problem for years. "It has never really been tried," counters Spahn, who would increasingly erect border fences at the country's borders.
However, the host would like to know how this will speed up asylum procedures on Lampedusa, for example. Spahn claims that in the long run, far fewer people would cross the Mediterranean if the states were to consistently repel the refugees.
Migration researcher agrees with Jens Spahn on Markus Lanz
Migration researcher Gerald Knaus agrees with Spahn on this point. Ultimately, people from safe countries of origin are not dependent on the protection of Europe.
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Wolfram Weimer agrees with the previous speakers. Above all, the publicist sees illegal immigration as the main problem. He therefore did not plead for more border fences, but for new agreements with the countries of origin, which would take their citizens back.
In this regard, Spahn refers to our Basic Law, which states that people who come from a safe third country are not entitled to asylum.
"Markus Lanz": Jens Spahn makes harsh verdict on asylum policy
With a view to the increasing overburdening of people in this country, Spahn emphasizes once again that he is only concerned with getting order in the asylum processes, because: "At some point there will come a point where the majority in this country says. We don't want that anymore."
Weimer therefore sees the agreements with the countries of origin as "the key to solving this migration. They create a legal situation." An agreement with Morocco and other North African states is feasible. At the same time, the government could attract foreign skilled workers with jobs in Germany.
Helberg, however, also believes that incentives could alleviate the shortage of skilled workers. For this, however, certain application procedures would have to be initiated. This has so far been "overslept" by the governments.
Jens Spahn defends himself against this accusation and explains that a large proportion of Syrians, for example, have not found work for years despite a shortage of skilled workers. Because of this attitude, his harsh verdict is: "We can't let everyone come to the EU."
Publicist warns of the strengthening of the AfD
Meanwhile, Weimer welcomes the announced "asylum turnaround" that Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is striving for. However, he has doubts about the implementation, because he does not believe that the Greens will vote for the rejection of so many people. In his eyes, this disagreement within the traffic light leads to another major problem.
"Markus Lanz" – these were his guests on 11 May
- Jens Spahn, politician (CDU)
- Kristin Helberg, Journalist
- Gerald Knaus, migration researcher
- Wolfram Weimer, Publicist
Weimer is worried that the AfD will receive even greater support. In this regard, Lanz recalls the latest surveys, which show how popular the right-wing populists have become. In the east, the AfD is the strongest party.
As a consequence, according to Weimer, more parliamentary groups would have to join forces to form a government. This makes the alliances more unstable. The publisher fears that the understanding of democracy will "break" and therefore hopes that the Minister of the Interior will actually implement her project.
Should we take our cue from the Scandinavians?
Markus Lanz then explains how other countries such as Denmark or Sweden have long since left the asylum debates behind because of the adoption of strict laws. Spahn agrees and describes the refugee issue as a "German problem". His colleagues in Europe also told him that our social benefits were the cause.
Lanz takes another look at Denmark, where asylum seekers are obliged to work. The ZDF presenter asks whether this concept would also bear fruit in Germany. Weimer does indeed believe that integration through work is the best way forward. However, he does not imagine the implementation to be so easy.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in particular is now called upon to address these issues. In Weimer's opinion, he had received enough proposals to solve the refugee crisis. The successor to Angela Merkel, who has already been criticized for his hesitation in the Ukraine war, only has to act. After all, Scholz has now recognized the seriousness of the situation.
"Markus Lanz" – The conclusion of the show
The "European solution" sought by the government can be implemented in various ways. While CDU politician Jens Spahn pushed for stronger border controls, the rest of the round pleaded for new agreements with the safe countries of origin. There was agreement that the traffic light parties must act quickly. Because one thing became clear: it cannot go on as before. (Kevin Richau)
