Karin Prien: Relatives disappear - a dark fate!

Karin Prien: Relatives disappear - a dark fate!

In the current debate about migration and geopolitical challenges, Karin Prien, the Minister of Education Schleswig-Holstein, speaks urgently about her own experience. In an interview, she explains that she only has one relative in her home country, while her other relatives have either been "killed or emigrated". This personal relationship illustrates the effects of migration and conflicts on the lives of many people, as is also shown by the discussion about migration policy in Germany. In public perception by Prien, the tragedy of such fate receives a human dimension that is often lost in political discussions. Information on this can be found in a Article by Spiegel.

The context of Priens statements is particularly relevant because Germany has been faced with a variety of migration policy challenges in recent years. A report by the Körber Foundation reveals that the Ukrainian secretary in the general population is considered the greatest foreign policy challenge. In September 2023, 45 percent of those surveyed stated that the war in Ukraine was the main problem, while migration was only mentioned by 31 percent as a pressing topic. These figures show an increasing concern about the geopolitical situation, but the topic of migration remains central to many people in Germany.

migration as a social topic

Migration has been the focus of public debate for years and has achieved new dimensions through various crises, such as the civil war in Syria. Germany has received more than a million refugees since 2015, while the number of asylum applications in 2024, without which from Ukraine, was around 251,000. A significant decline of around 29 percent compared to the previous year illustrates the dynamic nature of this topic. The result is an intensification of the debate about asylum and migration policy, especially according to the attacks in Mannheim and Solingen, which not only influence politics, but also significantly shape the voter behavior of people in Germany.

The political landscape is changing: The alternative for Germany (AfD) has achieved over 30 percent in state elections in Thuringia and Saxony and could achieve up to 20.8 percent in the next federal election. A survey shows that 77 percent of those surveyed are calling for a turn in migration policy, and over 90 percent of AfD and BSW supporters are for a new asylum policy, while 65 percent of the SPD supporters represent similar views. These developments have caused the Federal Government to react with increased deportations and tightened border controls.

public opinion and future challenges

The population sees itself more and more at the capacity limit in relation to the inclusion of refugees. In view of this situation, statistics speak a clear language: Around 32 percent of those surveyed believe that more rejected asylum seekers could be deported. At the same time, the municipalities are demanding support because many recording facilities are overloaded. The pressure is growing and the government has to react to people's concerns and at the same time find a humane solution for migrants.

The EU also decided in 2023 new asylum rules that provide for people with a small prospect of staying back to the external borders. This should help the countries with high refugees, such as Italy and Greece, to be relieved of excessive burdens. It remains essential to find European solutions in dealing with refugees in order to calm public opinion and to develop a common understanding of the challenges.