In the face of declining asylum seeker numbers, leading figures from Germany’s municipal associations are warning against complacency.
The situation in cities and municipalities regarding the accommodation, provision and integration of refugees has not significantly improved, according to André Berghegger, the chief executive of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities. Integration has become the greatest challenge and therefore, it is crucial to continue prioritizing the control and limitation of migration to Germany.
Achim Brötel, the president of the German County Association, shares a similar view. Although the initial influx of asylum seekers may be decreasing, the issue of integration remains a pressing concern. Brötel notes that, despite some successful examples of integration, there are also instances of the opposite and the process of integration is often a long and arduous one, involving not only physical but also social adaptation, including language skills, access to childcare, schools and employment, as well as social inclusion.
Berghegger warns against drawing false conclusions from the declining numbers of asylum seekers and reducing existing accommodation capacities. There is currently no room for reducing such capacities, as they must be maintained to respond to a potentially changing situation.
Brötel also emphasizes the importance of retaining a reserve of free capacities for future use, as the experience of prematurely reducing temporary accommodation has shown that it can have negative consequences later on. In his words, the world is in a state of constant motion and new accommodation is not something that can be realized overnight. Therefore, it is wise to maintain a “costly stockpile” for the time being.