In a speech at the Kirchentag in Nuremberg, Olaf Scholz defended the tightening of the right to asylum. Several heckling interrupted the Chancellor during his speech.
Nuremberg – Olaf Scholz spoke on Saturday (10 June) at the Protestant Kirchentag in Nuremberg. Meanwhile, he also spoke about the tightening of the right to asylum and solidarity between EU states. Scholz promised faster asylum procedures and more digitization in the processes. According to the Chancellor, they must "manage" to send back someone who cannot stay in Europe.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz defends the stricter asylum law. © Michael Kappeler/dpa
Faster asylum procedure and deportation: Scholz defends EU reform
Scholz emphasizes that it must stop countries pointing the finger at others and not feeling responsible. "That is why the agreement is that we will establish a solidarity mechanism," said the Federal Chancellor. A system of solidarity for the distribution of refugees in Europe must finally be established.
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On Thursday (8 June), EU interior ministers voted by a majority in favour of the reform plans for the asylum system, including a much tougher approach to migrants with no prospect of staying. People from "safe countries" are to be placed in strictly controlled reception centres after crossing the border. Within twelve weeks, the applicants would find out whether they have a chance of asylum. If this is not the case, they should be returned immediately.
"Fortress Europe": Heckling disturbs the Federal Chancellor
Scholz's speech was interrupted several times by interjections. The day before, people demonstrated on the fringes of the Kirchentag against the EU plans and spoke of a "Fortress Europe". On the subject of Ukraine, "Negotiate, Mr. Scholz" could be heard from the audience, reported the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. "I intend to do this again soon," Scholz replied
On the subject of asylum law, a visitor became very loud and shouted "You have failed" before he left the Frankenhalle after a short time without being asked, reported the editorial network Germany. The Chancellor had to get louder in order to be heard by the rest of the visitors.
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