Is another big refugee crisis looming?
German interior minister says EU should brace for biggest influx so far this decade
Europe is facing a refugee crisis even greater than that of four years ago, Germany has warned.
German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer says that despite the events of 2015, when more than a million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe illegally by land and sea, the EU remains unprepared for a fresh influx, The Times reports.
Speaking during an offical visit to Greece, he told German newspaper Bild: “We have to help our European partners even more on patrolling the EU’s external borders. We have left them alone for too long.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“If we don’t we will once again see a refugee wave like in 2015, maybe even greater than four years ago.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues free–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Seehofer is seeking support for an EU quota system for rescued asylum seekers and has committed Germany to taking in a quarter of those who arrive in member states via the sea route between North Africa and Italy. However, he has not agreed to accept any refugees entering the bloc via Spain or Greece, reports The Telegraph.
The politician said he would push for increased EU funds to be assigned to Turkey, while offering more technical support for Greece’s coast guard. A 2016 agreement that saw €6bn (£5.35bn) granted to Ankara was key in turning the tide on the surge of migration back then.
Last week, France’s President Emmanuel Macron accused Turkish leaders of exploiting the refugee crisis as “a means of pressure” over Turkish foreign policy in Syria and as a lever to extract more money.
In response, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu called Macron a “crowing cockerel” and said the French leader had “exceeded his boundaries by defaming Turkey”.
Signalling that Germany was ready to give Ankara more money, Seehofer told German newspaper Die Welt: “Turkey is doing a great deal in welcoming refugees. It is also in our interests but it is clear that we cannot manage the future with the resources of the past.”
The German interior minister, a member of Bavaria’s conservative CSU party, was one of the chief critics of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to allow 890,000 refugees into Germany during the 2015 crisis. But he claims to have the full backing of Merkel for his bid to prevent another migrant crisis from happening now.
The question of how Germany should tackle the issue has divided Germany’s ruling coalition, which comprises Merkel’s conservative CDU, its CSU sister party and the center-left SPD.
Ralph Brinkhaus, CDU/CSU leader in the German parliament, argues that Seehofer’s plan would increase smuggling over the borders.
“This is the interior minister’s initiative, it does not come from the CDU/CSU faction in the Bundestag,” Brinkhaus said. “We will have to take a very close look at his plans.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published