Status: 21.09.2023, 17:00 p.m.
CommentsShare
Frank Mentrup (SPD), Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe and President of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Cities. © Uli Deck/dpa
Cities and municipalities are groaning under the burden of accommodating refugees, and the discontent of citizens is increasing. The president of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Cities says there is a lack of clear announcements - and trust.
Karlsruhe - According to Frank Mentrup, President of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Cities, increasing uncertainty and dissatisfaction with politics are one of the reasons for the increasingly critical mood among the population towards refugees. "What I'm noticing is that local acceptance is declining significantly," he told the German Press Agency. It is important to achieve a stronger understanding of political processes and decisions as well as the limits of political control.
In addition to the increasing number of refugees, there is a general problem of acceptance of politics, which does not stem from this issue alone. However, politicians should not make the mistake of working with threats or announcements that seem like threats, said Mentrup, who is also Karlsruhe's mayor (SPD). Instead, clear, unambiguous announcements are needed, which are then adhered to. "We need to stand shoulder to shoulder on an equal footing," he stressed. "We need a new effort here to work together in the form of trust between the state and local authorities."
The Ministry of Migration made it clear that cooperation in the current crisis is characterised by trusting cooperation with districts, cities and municipalities and also by close cooperation with the municipal state associations. "We will continue to do so in the future."
According to Mentrup, there is also an urgent need to accelerate very practical processes. For example, it should not happen that the employment agency needs three months to check whether a refugee who already has a job is allowed to take it. "All of this is taking far too long," says Mentrup. Dpa
