Following the announcement by the federal government to organize another deportation flight with Afghan criminals and threats to their homeland, several state premiers and government leaders are calling for a swift implementation and further deportations.
“I expect an immediate turnaround in deportations” said Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein (CDU) in an interview with the Welt am Sonntag. “With regular deportation flights to Afghanistan, the possibility of deportations to Syria and maximum pressure on both countries to take back their nationals, including by cutting off all aid and halting all intake programs.” It is incomprehensible, he said, that no further deportation flight to Afghanistan has been organized since last year. “We have repeatedly inquired with the federal government and received no response” Rhein criticized.
“To make deportations possible, corresponding agreements with the home countries must be concluded” said Saxony’s Minister-President Michael Kretschmer (CDU). “Even and especially with the Afghan government, even if it is formed by the Taliban.” It is an expression of hubris by the federal foreign minister to claim that one only negotiates with governments that are liked, “diplomacy means speaking with those who are not liked” he said.
Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) has a different opinion, however and thinks that the current federal government, led by Olaf Scholz, only sees the need for these deportation flights as a last-minute measure before the state and federal elections. He expects the future federal government to resume regular and consistent deportations to Afghanistan.
“It is overdue for deportations to Afghanistan to take place again. The countries and municipalities in Germany have already reached their limits. The federal government must finally stop irregular migration – as it was agreed upon by all state premiers and the federal government. In particular, criminals must be deported consistently – also to Afghanistan” Wegner said.
Thuringia’s Minister-President Mario Voigt (CDU) said, however, that his state is setting up its own deportation facilities and return centers to ensure the consistent enforcement of the obligation to leave the country.