DIn view of the migration crisis, the Greens in Baden-Württemberg have to be happy about the rather small successes, such as the joining of the previously independent mayor of Bruchsal. The polls are in the basement: At 22 percent, the party is currently a long way from its state election result of 32 percent in 2021, and the once proclaimed claim to be the “Baden-Württemberg party” has once again become a pipe dream.
The party is divided on refugee policy: for the Green Youth, the word “limitation” is a “non-word”; Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) is calling for compromises and for practicing a “policy of being heard” in refugee policy and for placing greater limits on irregular immigration.
After the Prime Minister’s Conference on Friday, Kretschmann called for limiting irregular migration at the state party conference of the Greens in Weingarten: “Our municipalities are in overload mode, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of staff, we have a dramatic shortage everywhere.” The Greens should now have that in mind Max Weber’s “ethics of responsibility” act so that the party does not lose the acceptance of society, because immigration policy has the “force to shake our community”: “That means limiting irregular migration and making regular migration easier.”
Realos want a change in migration policy
Germany doesn’t have to hide when it comes to refugee policy, Kretschmann continued: “Let’s not kid ourselves, we are struggling to accommodate all the people who have a right to asylum and to come to us.” Around 50 percent of the asylum seekers from Afghanistan would be recognized. “I haven’t heard anyone in the Prime Minister’s Conference question that.”
He did not repeat Kretschmann’s demand to switch payments under the Asylum Seekers’ Benefits Act from cash benefits to benefits in kind, and he also did not use the word “limitation” in front of the approximately 220 delegates.
The Green parliamentary group previously spoke out in favor of limiting immigration in a motion for a resolution. The majority of the Green Realos in the southwest are of the opinion that only a change in migration policy can save the Greens from becoming a niche party again in the 2024 local elections and the 2026 state elections. Members of the state parliament such as Felix Herkens, Martin Hahn, Nese Erikli and Tayfun Tok spoke out in favor of limiting immigration or at least a breather. The motion for a resolution was adopted by a broad majority on Tuesday with three abstentions. Due to the situation in the municipalities, the preparations for the local elections and a demand paper from the CDU, the parliamentary group could not avoid putting the issue on the agenda.
Green Youth: What if the right to asylum is abolished completely?
Kretschmann received a lot of opposition from the Green Youth and individual speakers from the left of the party: A debate about benefits in kind and cash cards would strengthen “right-wing narratives,” the municipalities could do it if they were given more money, and a cash card would be the wrong approach. Some speakers generally refused to discuss pull factors.
The state chairwoman of the Green Youth, Elly Reich, said: “Our Prime Minister is calling for a stricter course in migration policy, we are discussing pull factors, that worries me. This discussion is not worthy of our party.” The Greens should not allow themselves to be hemmed in by a “right-wing debate”. “If we are now in favor of restrictions because the headwind is strong, will we also give in if the wind becomes so strong at some point and the right to asylum is abolished?” asked Reich.
Thomas Gönner, a Green city councilor in Baden-Baden, said that if every city took in as many Ukrainian refugees as his, then there would be no need for gyms. “Sham debates are being held, cash cards are of no use to the municipalities.”
The Green federal chairman Omid Nouripour called for faster asylum procedures and “significantly more order”. It should not be the case that refugees in the Greek camp of Moria live on garbage dumps. “We have to discuss what is necessary.” The situation is different than in 2015/2016 because there is a lack of staff and housing. “We are open to any suggestion from the democratic spectrum, to any suggestion that is legally compliant and achieves something.” But empathy “should not be left out” either. “Sea rescue is a humanitarian necessity and not a smuggling operation.”
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