Vienna (PK) – The regional chamber continued its deliberations today with a current hour on the theme “Asylum brakes – the measures are having an effect”. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner reported that nearly 109,000 asylum applications reached an all-time high last year. To avoid overloading the system, a number of measures were introduced last year, from tougher actions against the smuggling mafia to tighter controls in the Hungarian border area. In addition, it was possible to significantly speed up the; they could now be completed in the first instance within three and a half months on average. Karner gave an extremely positive assessment of the results of the last EU summit on the subject of asylum, where Austria was able to achieve clear successes.
While ÖVP federal advisers praised Karner’s policies, the Freedom Party accused the government of a complete failure in asylum policy. SPÖ speakers considered it crucial that Europe act as one on the asylum issue. These included well-organized border controls, faster asylum procedures and agreements with countries of origin for the faster return of illegal migrants. The creation of a uniform European asylum procedure was also a central concern of NEOS.
Karner: Concrete actions had an effect
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner described the fight against the smuggling mafia and against asylum abuse as one of the biggest challenges that currently need to be overcome. Nearly 109,000 asylum applications were made last year, the highest number since the 1950s, according to the interior minister. Although Austria is a landlocked country in the EU, 75,000 people have not been registered. Along with people who fled Ukraine, around 90,000 people are receiving basic services, the minister said. One reason for the high numbers in this area is that smugglers have engaged in “brutal marketing” with the EU’s Displaced Persons Directive, which gives Ukrainian refugees access to the labor market. As a result, more and more people from India or Tunisia tried to come to the European Union, mainly via Turkey and Serbia. He is therefore delighted that bilateral talks with Serbia have led to a change in visa policy, meaning that requests from India and Tunisia are now in the single digits.
As it was already foreseeable last year that the asylum system would be overwhelmed, the first measures were taken with “forceful action”, Karner reported. In addition, procedures were accelerated, border controls were tightened and Operation Fox was implemented in the Hungarian border area. It should also be clear that there is no “wave”. Every country has the right to know who is entering its territory, the minister emphasized. According to Karner, another big problem is that the Schengen system, which is one of the great achievements of the EU, unfortunately does not work. Alliances with other countries are therefore also necessary to exert pressure on the Commission. Karner was particularly pleased that the five-point plan he proposed had broad approval at the EU summit and that some parts were expected to be implemented quickly.
ÖVP: Austria’s position on the asylum issue has led to a change of heart in the EU
In view of more than 100,000 illegal border crossings into Austria last year, everyone can probably agree on the analysis that the European asylum system is not working, said Federal Councilor Harald Himmer (ÖVP/W). It was therefore correct that Federal Chancellor Nehammer and Interior Minister Karner had taken a very clear position on Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen. He was convinced that this made it possible to ensure that additional financial resources were made available at the last EU summit to protect the EU’s external borders. Himmer appealed to representatives of the other parties to support the federal government in these efforts so that things continue to move in the right direction. As examples, he mentioned the implementation of pilot projects for asylum procedures at the EU’s external borders and the creation of a legal basis for a rejection directive and for asylum procedures in safe third countries. Federal Councilor Martin Preineder (ÖVP/N) highlighted efforts at the national level, which have already had some success. For example, the activities of many smugglers were made impossible by the intensive border controls in Hungary. In general, the issues of asylum and migration must be treated separately and, above all, debated objectively, wished Preineder.
SPÖ speaks of failed migration and integration policy by responsible ÖVP interior ministers
Federal Councilor Dominik Reisinger (SPÖ/O) was surprised by the choice of today’s topic for the current time, as the ÖVP “talked about this topic and worked beyond it” for years. If you take a closer look at the facts, the alleged successes of the interior ministers, who have been appointed by the ÖVP for over 20 years, are quickly disenchanted. Reisinger pointed out that the criticism even came from within the company, such as the vice-president of the European Parliament, Othmar Karas. He described the mixing of the asylum issue with Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen as “irresponsible and indescribable”. From his point of view, the “fellowship trips” by Chancellor Nehammer and Minister of the Interior Karner to Serbia and Hungary also made little sense, because there would not be the causes of the problem, but the solutions. For example, Hungary would beckoning thousands of unregistered refugees, which is not only illegal but should also be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The Federal Council stressed that it is crucial to improve living conditions in the countries of origin and to act as a united Europe. These included well-organized border controls, faster asylum procedures and agreements with countries of origin for the faster return of illegal migrants.
The SPÖ has been campaigning for better protection of the EU’s external borders for many years, recalled David Egger-Kranzinger (SPÖ/S), who also urged the ÖVP interior ministers to take action. For example, there is still no regulated immigration plan. If one were to “show a clear advantage at the EU’s external borders”, one would not be helplessly at the mercy of the human smuggling mafia. In addition, the fact that Austria needs skilled labor from abroad must be taken into account, he judged, but this immigration must also be controlled. Instead, well-educated young people who could make an important contribution in Austria would be deported.
FPÖ accuses government of total failure in asylum policy
Federal Councilor Markus Leinfellner (FPÖ/St) critically stated that he really does not know what effect the “asylum brake” should have if more than 108,000 illegal migrants managed to cross the Austrian border last year. There was a dip in January, but that was only due to cooler temperatures. However, the interior minister is responsible for many other areas, Leinfellner said, for example the fact that there are still no rejections at the borders. Karner’s policy would also mean that asylum centers in Austria would have sprung up “like mushrooms” and that the health and social system would continue to be massively overstretched. These undesirable developments would also no longer be accepted by the population, as can be seen from current polls and election results. A recent survey would have shown that the vast majority of Austrians would find living with migrants very critical. This is not surprising in view of the many violent crimes committed by asylum seekers. That is why the FPÖ has long called for the freezing of asylum, the introduction of departure centers and benefits in kind instead of monetary benefits for asylum seekers, emphasized Günter Proeller (FPÖ/O).
Greens identify need for reform of the European asylum system
Federal councilor Claudia Hauschildt-Buschberger (Verdes/O) considered the title of the current hour problematic, since asylum offers protection against events that cannot be predicted, controlled or delayed. Many states recognized this principle in the Geneva Convention on Refugees, which has also been part of Austrian law since 1955. Asylum claims could only be delayed if countries treated their populations in such a way that they no longer needed to flee. This is why the assistance and protection of people on the ground is so important, as is currently the case in regions of Turkey and Syria that were particularly hard hit by earthquakes. Women in Afghanistan, who due to the Taliban regime hardly have access to medical treatment, also need urgent support. In this context, she finds it particularly hurtful when people talk about “Fortress Europe”. Of course, Austria and Europe cannot take in an infinite number of people, Hauschildt-Buschberger conceded, so the reasons for fleeing must also be carefully examined. As far as the figures in Austria are concerned, they show that there has been almost no increase in the number of asylum seekers in basic care. In any case, action is needed at European level, as there is still no adequate system in place to jointly tackle major challenges. The Federal Councilor emphasized that the focus now should be on that.
NEOS: Less marketing and more factual politics
Federal Councilor Karl-Arthur Arlamovsky (NEOS/W) told the Minister of the Interior that if you use the term “asylum brake” you are also doing marketing. To objectify the debate, he defends the expansion of legal escape routes, as this is the only way to curb the crime of smuggling. There is definitely room for improvement in the asylum procedure itself, with the main aim being to standardize it at a European level. This also includes implementing sanctions against states that do not wish to take back rejected asylum seekers. You can start not only with the visa regime, but also with the financial support of these countries. (continues Federal Council)
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