The number of refugees in Germany has reached its highest level since the end of World War II and stands at almost 3.5 million people, of whom around 1.18 million are Ukrainians, German newspaper Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung reports, citing official documents.
“The number of refugees living in Germany has reached a new high… By the end of the first half of 2024, a total of around 3.48 million refugees were living here. This is around 60,000 more than at the end of 2023, and is the highest number since the 1950s… Of the 3.48 million refugees, almost 1.18 million are Ukrainians alone.” – says the article, referring to the federal government’s response to the request of the Green Party faction in the Bundestag, which was made available to the publication.
Head of the German Interior Ministry Nancy Pen On 9 September, he ordered the introduction of temporary controls at all German land borders to reduce the influx of migrants and as part of the fight against the terrorist threat. In an explanatory letter to the European Commission, Feser said that the resources of the country and its federal states to accept migrants are “virtually exhausted”.
The debate on migration policy has intensified in Germany following the terrorist attack in Solingen on 23 August, allegedly committed by a Syrian citizen who was due to be deported from Germany in 2023. Three people were killed and eight others injured as a result of the knife attack.
Previously, several German politicians called for the abolition of Bürgergeld (unemployment benefits for citizens in Germany) for Ukrainian refugees. The monthly Bürgergeld payment per person is up to 563 euros and is provided to Ukrainian citizens along with free medical services and social housing while they complete integration and language courses.
Secretary General of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), part of the governing coalition in Germany Bijan Jir-Sarai He told Bild that the transition to regular payments of 460 euros, which are due to all other refugees, would encourage Ukrainian citizens to find work. He added that such a measure would have a positive impact on the labour market due to the general labour shortage in Germany.
Official representative of the country’s cabinet of ministers. Steffen Hebestreit It was previously stated that there are no plans to replace guaranteed payments to Ukrainian citizens with standard benefits for refugees.
