German parliament backs tougher rules for asylum seekers

BERLIN: The German parliament on Friday approved curbs to the benefits offered to asylum seekers, as Berlin followed other European countries in taking a stricter line on migration.

MPs nodded through plans to withdraw social support from asylum seekers who were already registered in another EU member state and are slated for deportation.

The passage of the new rules marks a turning point in German attitudes towards immigration, almost a decade after former Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the country´s doors to refugees.

With the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) making ground in regional elections, Chancellor Olaf Scholz´s government has toughened its stance on new arrivals.

Friday´s legislation will also see refugees who temporarily return to their home countries “as a rule” lose their right to protection in Germany.

The same will apply to refugees who commit crimes with anti-Semitic or homophobic motivation.

The new rules were brought forward by the government in August in response to a deadly stabbing at a festival in the western city of Solingen.

The suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian man with suspected links to the Islamic State group, was slated for deportation but evaded authorities´ attempts to remove him.

The whole package will also introduce stricter rules on the carrying of knives in public places.

The new measures were “strengthening our country´s internal security in the face of threats”, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told MPs.