What is the AfD calling for?
In its election platform, the AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania calls for a significantly stricter immigration policy. This includes, among other things, more deportations, dedicated deportation facilities, and stricter rules for foreign criminals.
A Dedicated Border and Deportation Police Force
According to its election platform, the AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania wants to establish its own border and deportation police force. The unit is intended to more effectively combat illegal entry, crack down on human smuggling, and assist in the deportation of individuals required to leave the country.
These plans could be implemented in part at the state level. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania could establish a special police unit for deportations. The police in one federal state are already assisting with deportations.
However, border protection falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Police. A state can only assume such responsibilities if it has an agreement with the federal government to that effect.
State-run departure facilities
According to the AfD, people required to leave the country should be housed in special departure centers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Criminals, asylum seekers prone to violence, and those required to leave the country are to live there until they are deported.
An AD-led state government could establish such facilities. The Residence Act allows the federal states to set up departure facilities for individuals required to leave the country.
However, staying in a departure facility is not the same as being held in pretrial detention pending deportation. Individuals required to leave the country may not be detained there. Additional legal requirements apply to pretrial detention pending deportation, and a judge must order such detention.
Review the protection status of refugees from Syria
The AfD is calling for more rigorous reviews of the protected status of Syrian refugees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The party is demanding comprehensive procedures for revoking and rescinding such status, citing the changed situation in Syria as the reason. Regardless of this, the party believes that, above all, criminals and individuals posing a threat from Syria should be deported more frequently.
That, too, is only partially possible. An AfD state government could advocate for faster deportations. However, the state cannot decide on protection status; that is the responsibility of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).
Protection status is generally only temporary
The AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is calling for refugee status not to lead to permanent residence in Germany. According to its election platform, the time spent in Germany should be used more effectively to train people for the future reconstruction of their countries of origin.
An AfD state government could partially implement this demand. Even today, protected status only allows for temporary residence—specifically, for as long as the grounds for protection exist. Under certain conditions, however, individuals entitled to protection may later receive a permanent residence permit ( Residence permit ) (Settlement permit ) or apply for permanent residence (Naturalization ).
The requirements for permanent residency are set forth in the Residence Act and cannot be changed by an AfD government in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. However, the state could establish its own programs for vocational training or to support voluntary return.
Suspend family reunification
The AfD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is calling for a blanket suspension of family reunification. According to the party, this measure is intended to prevent people from countries of origin associated with asylum seekers or from Ukraine from immigrating into the German social welfare system.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania cannot suspend family reunification. The rules governing family reunification are set forth in the Residence Act. Any changes would have to be decided at the federal level. However, a state government could call for a change at the federal level, for example through the Bundesrat.
What is the SPD calling for?
In its election platform, the SPD focuses primarily on integration, rapid access to the labor market, and attracting foreign skilled workers. At the same time, the party emphasizes that current asylum and residency laws must be consistently enforced.
A Swift Transition from the Asylum System to the Workforce
The SPD in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania wants to make it easier for people to transition from the asylum system into the workforce. In addition, foreign professional credentials are to be recognized more quickly. Women, in particular, are to be supported in gaining access to language courses, vocational training, and employment.
An SPD-led state government could implement some of these demands. For example, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania could speed up the recognition of foreign professional qualifications and improve coordination among government agencies.
However, the Residence Act governs whether and under what conditions an asylum seeker may transition to an “Residence permit ” (special residence permit) for work or training. The state cannot change these conditions.
Keep the stay at the initial reception center as short as possible
According to the SPD, refugee children and adolescents should be given access to daycare centers, schools, sports, and cultural activities as quickly as possible. Families should be able to leave the initial reception centers as early as possible.
The state has some discretion in this matter. The states are responsible for the reception and distribution of asylum seekers, as well as for the reception facilities. However, federal law specifies how long asylum seekers must stay there. For minor children and their parents, the maximum stay is six months.
Recruiting Foreign Skilled Workers
The SPD plans to continue operating the existing Skilled Workers Service Center. Its purpose is to provide advice to German companies and foreign skilled workers. This includes, among other things, issues related to residency, the recognition of professional qualifications, language support, integration, and family reunification.
An SPD-led state government could implement this initiative. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can fund the counseling center, support businesses, and launch its own programs to attract international skilled workers.
The legal requirements for visas, Residence permit and family reunification are governed by the Residence Act and cannot be modified by an individual federal state.
What is the CDU calling for?
In its election platform, the CDU focuses on two key areas regarding migration: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania should make a targeted effort to attract international skilled workers. At the same time, people without the right to remain should be repatriated more consistently, and the rules for foreign criminals should be tightened.
Targeted Labor Migration
In its election platform, the CDU states that Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania needs targeted labor migration. This is intended to attract skilled workers and reduce the shortage of skilled labor.
A CDU-led state government can promote labor migration, but it cannot establish the legal framework for it on its own. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, for example, could recruit skilled workers from abroad and support businesses.
However, it is the federal residency law that determines who is allowed to enter Germany for work, what requirements must be met, and whether a residence permit ( Residence permit ) will be granted.
Implement Repatriations More Consistently
According to the CDU, people without the right to remain should be repatriated more consistently. At the same time, the party wants to provide greater support for integration to those who have been granted asylum and are allowed to remain in Germany permanently.
The state has considerable discretion when it comes to deportations. While the Residence Act specifies when a deportation is possible, the states are responsible for carrying out deportations. A CDU government in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, for example, could allocate more staff and resources to deportations.
Restrict the covering of the face in public spaces
The CDU wants to restrict the complete covering of the face in public spaces. According to its campaign platform, people in public spaces should generally be recognizable and identifiable. To this end, the party intends to advocate for new legal regulations at the federal level.
A CDU-led state government could not enact a general ban on face coverings in public spaces on its own. However, as announced, it could advocate for such a ban at the federal level. Rules against face coverings are already in place in certain areas.
What is Die Linke calling for?
In its election platform, The Left focuses primarily on protection, integration, and better prospects for refugees to remain in the country. Deportations are to be halted in certain cases, and access to employment is to be made easier.
No Deportations to War Zones
The Left Party is calling for a halt to deportations to war zones. In its election platform, the party specifically mentions deportations to Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran.
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania could only implement this requirement to a limited extent. A federal state may temporarily suspend deportations to certain countries for humanitarian reasons or under international law.
Under Section 60a of the Residence Act, such a suspension of deportations is possible for a maximum of three months. However, a federal state cannot permanently establish its own protection status for all people from a specific country. That would require a new law at the federal level.
Easier Access to Work and Society
According to the Left Party, refugees should have better access to health care, language instruction, culture, and sports. The party also calls for making it as easy as possible for them to enter the labor market.
The state could expand many of its integration programs on its own. For example, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can fund counseling centers, language support, or programs for foreign children and adolescents.
However, the state’s options regarding access to the labor market are limited. Whether and when asylum seekers and individuals granted temporary residence status are allowed to work is governed by the Asylum Act. A state government cannot simply repeal or amend these rules.
Right to Remain During Training
According to the Left Party in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, refugees who are undergoing vocational training or participating in other skills-building programs should be given a guaranteed prospect of remaining in the country.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern cannot introduce a general right of residence for foreign apprentices. The Residence Act establishes, on a nationwide basis, the conditions under which refugees may receive a residence permit for the purpose of vocational training.
However, the state can expand counseling services and provide government agencies with more staff and resources so that prospects for remaining in the country can be assessed more quickly.
