Checks "as short as possible": Head of the Chancellery outlines future asylum policy

The rejection of asylum seekers at the German border is causing unrest within the EU. Chancellor Frei explains that this is only a first step. Border controls should not be unnecessarily prolonged. New, preferably European, measures must follow soon.

According to Chancellor's Office Chief Thorsten Frei, the more extensive controls and rejections at the German border should be in place "as briefly as possible." "Rejections at the border are an option that will have an immediate impact," the CDU politician said on ARD broadcaster that evening. Migration must be reduced to "a tolerable level." Frei did not provide any figures. However, European freedom of movement should not be permanently restricted. Stationary border controls must always be notified to the EU Commission, and justification must be provided.

The measures have been in place at the German-Austrian border since autumn 2015 and have been repeatedly extended. However, they have only been in place for Germany's other eight neighboring countries since autumn of last year. "Therefore, each individual assessment must be made to determine whether the conditions for an extension are still met," Frei said. The federal government wants to achieve results quickly so that other, "preferably European" measures can then be implemented in migration policy.

"Conduct asylum procedures outside the EU"

The head of the Chancellery renewed his criticism of the agreed European asylum law reform. He argued that it not only comes too late, but is also insufficient. Therefore, 16 EU governments have called on the EU Commission to begin revising the rules. Frei again called for asylum procedures to be conducted outside the EU.

Last Wednesday, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU ordered that Section 18 of the Asylum Act be reinstated. According to this provision, asylum seekers – except in exceptional cases – should be denied entry if they arrive from a safe third country. However, Chancellor Friedrich Merz denied a report in the "Welt" newspaper that he intended to declare a national emergency. Neighboring countries had warned the federal government against excessively extensive unilateral border controls.