Migrants at the EU's external border in Belarus. Border authorities on both sides are accused of human rights violations. © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
The asylum issue is once again coming into focus in Germany. The German government must not deny itself reality, comments Mike Schier.
Munich – It wasn't long ago that it seemed as if the Greens were sledding with their coalition partners – and only the public outcry could slow down Robert Habeck with his climate protection agenda. Now, when it comes to the no less complex issue of asylum, the picture is reversed: the positioning of the traffic light suddenly puts the green self-image at stake. Fast-track asylum procedures at the EU's external borders – once invented by the CSU – have been regarded by the eco-party for years as inhuman devil's work. But Interior Minister Nancy Faeser seems very determined.
Asylum issue at EU level: Movement needed on migration issue
Domestically, the struggle in the coalition comes at a time when the AfD is making strong gains in the polls. This probably has more to do with current controversial topics such as heating or air conditioning adhesives. But surveys show that the issue of immigration remains central. In other words, if a left-wing government, of all governments, were to succeed in contributing to a Europe-wide compromise that certainly does not solve the asylum issue, but at least steers it in a more orderly direction, this could be an important calming of the agitated mood.
In terms of foreign policy, too, the German change of opinion is being closely registered. In Italy, Greece and Spain, right-wing and conservative parties are on the rise, and the issue of immigration is on the rise – not to mention Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic. Even if Berlin rightly insists on compliance with the rule of law and humane conditions, the Greens in particular should not deny themselves these European realities. Europe is now pretty much alone with fundamental positions. If you want to keep the EU together, you have to move on the migration issue. (Mike Schier)
