According to the Zeit, citing still unpublished data from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA), asylum applications in Germany fell by nearly 94,000 from January to September compared to the same period last year. That corresponds to a drop of 52 percent – the EU-wide average is 26.6 percent.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) saw the development as evidence of the federal government’s course. “Our policy of taking a firm line is having an effect: the migration turnaround is happening,” Dobrindt told the Zeit. He announced that border controls and rejections would continue. “In the coming year, too, we will work resolutely to end the overburdening of our society through illegal migration and to further reduce the numbers.”
Spain overtakes Germany as top destination country
For the first time since 2011, Germany is no longer the main destination country for asylum seekers in Europe. With around 135,000 protection seekers, Spain leads the statistics – about 30,000 more than those who had applied for asylum in Germany for the first time by November. One reason is the increased influx of Venezuelans, to whom Madrid grants a special protection status with prospects of a permanent right of residence, unlike other EU states.
Measured by population, Greece takes in the most refugees with 52 asylum applications per thousand inhabitants. Germany ranks 14th among the 27 EU states with just under eleven applications per thousand inhabitants. Only Bulgaria and Cyprus recorded a stronger percentage decline than Germany.
Border controls and decline from Syria
The federal government tightened migration policy after taking office, including new border controls and the possibility of turning back asylum seekers at the border. According to the Federal Police, a total of 43,575 people were prevented from entering and turned back by November. As a side effect, 10,750 people wanted on arrest warrants were arrested.
A key factor in the decline in asylum numbers in Europe is the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad a year ago. In Germany, asylum applications from Syrians fell by nearly 70 percent to a total of 22,200. Dobrindt also announced plans to deport rejected asylum seekers to third countries, so-called “return hubs,” if the home country refuses to take them back.
Source: www.zeit.de
