Traffic light agrees migration and asylum package

The federal government has responded to the knife attack in Solingen and agreed a comprehensive migration and asylum package. Among other things, it should include stricter rules on gun rights.

The federal government has agreed on a package of measures for migration and asylum policy in response to the knife attack in Solingen. It deals with gun law, security powers, deportation and prevention, according to a seven-page paper available to t-online.

“We have been discussing since the weekend,” said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) at a press conference in Berlin. “It’s about a disgusting act involving knives,” he said. That’s why they want to tighten gun laws, he goes on to say. They want to “fight Islamism even stronger,” Faeser said. “We experienced a terrible terrorist attack in Solingen,” said Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP).

For asylum seekers for whom another EU state is responsible according to the Dublin procedure, “the receipt of further benefits in Germany should be excluded,” the paper continues. “We ensure humane treatment for all those affected.”

In addition, a number of gun laws are proposed to be tightened, including a “general ban on the use of dangerous switchblades”. There is an intention to ban knives on buses and long distance trains – as well as at folk festivals and sporting events. A working group which includes representatives from the three traffic light parties is scheduled to meet for the first time next week.

According to information from t-online, the protection status of refugees should be revoked if they go on holiday in their home country. There should be exceptions for funerals of relatives, for example. The powers of the federal police are to be expanded. Police officers should also be allowed to use Tasers, ie guns that stun electricity, in the future.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Wednesday that the government, together with the states and the Union, want to draw conclusions from the attack in Solingen. Three people were killed and eight injured last Friday. Among other things, the discussion included cuts to benefits for refugees and migrants who had to leave the country and had entered another EU country for the first time.