As of: January 29, 2024, 9:18 a.m
By: Peter Sieben
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The AfD openly debates deportations.
The head of the Expert Council for Integration says in an interview: This can become a problem for some regions.
Berlin - There could hardly be more contrast: Germany is now making it much easier for foreigners to become naturalized - at the same time, neo-Nazis and AfD members in Potsdam spoke openly about the deportation of millions of people with a migration background.
Hans Vorländer is chairman of the Federal Government's Advisory Council for Integration and Migration (SVR).
In the interview he talks about the effects of the so-called AfD secret meeting, the mass demonstrations against the right and he explains why the reform of the citizenship law is a problem for some groups.
The political scientist Prof. Dr.
Hans Vorländer is chairman of the Expert Council for Integration and Migration and, among other things, director of the Center for Constitutional and Democracy Research at the TU Dresden.
© Robert Michael/dpa
How do you perceive the broad protest against right-wing extremism and the AfD?
Is this just a flash in the pan?
There was a moment of shock.
This opened the eyes of many, even though the facts were known to anyone who had dealt with right-wing extremism and the AfD.
It's good that there is now a broad public debate.
One can certainly speak of a centrist uprising.
And in my opinion that is the most important thing, because it is about stabilizing the democratic center and preventing it from being tempted to convert the protest it may have towards the traffic light coalition into a vote for the AfD.
It remains to be seen whether this momentum of citizen engagement and mobilization will continue.
AfD ban and demos against the right: “Sign to foreign countries”
Meanwhile, a ban on the AfD is also being discussed.
Does this make sense?
From a practical point of view, this leads to nothing.
Procedures are long and their outcome is open and we will definitely not see a ban on the party until the European or state elections this year.
Civil society resistance and the commitment of the democratic center are much more effective.
That's what matters.
Do you think that the secret meeting affair has damaged Germany's reputation and is discouraging people from abroad from coming here?
Yes, I believe that this is of course problematic for Germany and for individual regions when it comes to recruiting workers.
But you also have to say: The reports were not perceived as much news abroad.
In France in particular, it has long been known what the right-wing extremist side has been discussing publicly for a long time.
And I believe that this wave of demonstrations is also a sign to other countries that society is resisting it.
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Naturalization of foreigners: No entitlement for people with disabilities
The federal government recently reformed nationality law to make naturalization easier.
Given the shortage of skilled workers, is this an overdue measure?
In principle, the new law is to be welcomed.
But there are certainly points that can be criticized.
Which would those be?
It is a prerequisite that someone can secure their livelihood independently.
Some people may then not be entitled to naturalization, for example students, people with disabilities or single parents who receive additional benefits.
They are now being made into so-called hardship cases who have to undergo discretionary naturalization.
A second point: You have to be very clear about the free-democratic basic order and there must be no racist or anti-Semitic actions.
It will be difficult for authorities to prove in detail what is anti-Semitic and racist.
Deportation law “is unlikely to have a major effect”
The so-called deportation law was passed almost simultaneously with the reform of the nationality law.
This should make it easier to return people without refugee status.
Is this the right signal at the moment?
You can't say across the board whether this is a right or wrong signal.
One thing is clear: the law is unlikely to have a major effect.
Not many more people will be able to be deported.
The problems with deportation mostly lie in the fact that states do not take their citizens back or that their identity is unclear.
In addition, people with toleration status have the opportunity to regularize their stay using the opportunity residence law, provided they came to Germany before a certain deadline.
The new law will therefore hardly change anything.