The CSU group in the German Bundestag plans to introduce tough measures to make it harder for asylum seekers and refugee aid organizations to evade the payment card system.
According to a report by the “Bild” newspaper, the measures are outlined in a draft document for the party’s upcoming retreat at the Seeon Monastery, which starts on Monday. The document states: “We introduced a payment card nationwide to reduce pull effects and prevent refugees from sending money to smugglers and abroad. We will therefore decisively prevent a left-wing circumvention industry from forming and refugees from buying gift cards with the payment card, only to exchange them in so-called exchange boards, such as at district offices of the Greens, for cash that can be sent to their home countries.”
The CSU plans to specifically “technically prevent the purchase of gift cards with the payment card, prosecute the operation of exchange boards intended to circumvent the payment cards, and create an ordinance to allow the prohibition of exchange boards.”
Alexander Dobrindt, the chairman of the CSU group and the party’s top candidate for the Bundestag elections, told the “Bild”: “Payment card and cash are mutually exclusive.” The Greens initially blocked the payment card, and then a “left-wing circumvention industry” was established in their midst. “We will put an end to this misuse and punish the fraud on the payment card.