New opinion poll: Germans mainly negative towards newly arriving refugees | DW News

Summary

Recent polls indicate Germans are increasingly concerned about immigration and asylum seekers, with support for the governing coalition falling and the far-right AFD gaining popularity. Over a million refugees have arrived in Germany due to Russia's war in Ukraine, straining local resources. A majority of Germans now favor fewer refugees, and there's political pressure to tighten border controls. The EU continues to struggle with a unified asylum policy, while a visa scandal in Poland adds to Germany's challenges.

Takeaways

• 📊 Migration and the economy are the top concerns for Germans according to the latest poll from the Institute Infratest dimap.
• 📉 The governing coalition in Germany is experiencing dwindling support, while the far-right AFD party is gaining ground due to its stance on migration.
• 🔝 The number of asylum applications in Germany in the first eight months of the year is almost as high as the whole of 2022.
• 🏠 Local authorities are struggling to provide adequate housing, healthcare, schools, and daycare centers for the influx of refugees.
• 🚨 Opposition parties are warning about the urgent need to address the surge in asylum seekers.
• 📊 A significant portion of Germans believe immigration causes problems rather than benefits, with 64% thinking the country should take in fewer refugees.
• 🛂 There's been an increase in migrants arriving via Poland and the Czech Republic, prompting a policy shift from Germany's interior minister towards stricter border controls.
• 🌍 Efforts to agree on a common asylum system in the EU remain challenging, as does the question of policing Europe's borders.
• 🇵🇱 A visa scandal in Poland, where consulates are accused of taking bribes to speed up visa applications, is causing tension with Germany.
• 🗳️ The changing rhetoric on immigration in Germany is influenced by upcoming state elections and political strategies, with some leaders making controversial remarks to sway public opinion.

Q & A

What are the top concerns for Germans according to the latest poll?

Migration and the economy are the top concerns for Germans, according to a poll by the Institute Infratest Dimap.

What is the current political impact of migration issues in Germany?

Migration issues are causing dwindling support for the governing coalition, while the far-right party AfD is gaining popularity due to its stance on migration.

How have the numbers of asylum seekers changed in Germany this year?

In the first eight months of 2024, the number of asylum applications has been almost as high as in the entire year of 2022, largely due to the influx of refugees from Russia's war in Ukraine.

What challenges are local authorities in Germany facing due to increased asylum seekers?

Local authorities are struggling to provide adequate accommodation, healthcare, schools, and daycare centers for the rising number of asylum seekers.

What does the latest opinion poll suggest about German attitudes toward immigration?

The poll shows that only about a quarter of Germans believe immigration brings benefits, while two-thirds think it causes problems. Furthermore, 64% think Germany should take in fewer refugees.

How has the German government’s stance on border control changed recently?

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who previously opposed more fixed border checks, now supports stricter control at Germany's eastern borders due to increased migrant arrivals.

What are some of the concerns raised by opposition parties in Germany regarding migration?

Opposition parties, particularly the far-right AfD, are raising concerns about the impact of asylum seekers on public services, such as healthcare, with some claims that German citizens are being disadvantaged.

What European challenges are complicating Germany's migration policies?

Efforts to agree on a common EU asylum system remain difficult, and there are issues with policing Europe's external borders. Additionally, a visa scandal in Poland has exacerbated tensions.

What is the 'visa scandal' in Poland, and how does it relate to migration in Germany?

Poland's consulates are accused of accepting bribes to fast-track visa applications, allowing some migrants to enter Germany illegally, which has angered the German government.

What are the prospects of a common European refugee policy according to Germans?

According to the poll, most Germans are skeptical about a common European refugee policy being realized soon, with fewer than a quarter believing it will happen in the near future.

Outlines

00:00

📊 Shifting German Attitudes on Immigration

According to the latest polling data from Infratest dimap, Germans are increasingly concerned about migration and the economy. The governing coalition is experiencing a decline in support, while the far-right AfD party is gaining popularity due to its stance on migration. The number of asylum seekers has surged, with the first eight months of the year seeing nearly as many applications as the whole of the previous year. Over a million refugees have arrived in Germany due to Russia's war in Ukraine, putting a strain on local authorities as they struggle to provide necessary services. Opposition parties are calling for action, with 64% of Germans supporting the idea that fewer refugees should be accepted. There is also a rise in migrants arriving from Poland and the Czech Republic, leading to a policy shift by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who now supports stricter border controls. The European Union's efforts to establish a common asylum system have been challenging, and the Visa scandal in Poland is further complicating matters. The majority of Germans doubt that a unified European refugee policy will be realized soon.

05:02

🔄 German Government's Evolving Migration Policy

The German government, particularly the interior minister Nancy Faeser, is changing its approach to migration policy. There has been a significant shift from opposing stationary border controls to advocating for them, with Faeser acknowledging the need for more police officers to guard the borders. Despite talks with counterparts from Poland and the Czech Republic, there are still disagreements on how to change migration laws, including human rights guarantees and the role of NGOs in facilitating migrant arrivals. Despite these challenges, Germany is ready to agree on a new compromise proposal to regulate migration within the European Union. However, there are ongoing concerns shared with human rights associations regarding detention centers and other aspects of the migration policy.

Keywords

💡Migration

Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another, often across national borders, in search of better economic opportunities, refuge, or a change in environment. In the video's context, migration is a central theme as it discusses the concerns of Germans regarding the influx of asylum seekers and the government's response to it. The script mentions 'surge in numbers of asylum seekers' and the 'straining' of local authorities, illustrating the impact of migration on society and policy.

💡Economy

The economy encompasses all activities related to production, consumption, and trade of goods and services in an area. The script highlights that the economy is a top concern for Germans, implying that the economic implications of migration, such as the cost of providing services to refugees, are significant. The economy's health is tied to public opinion and policy decisions regarding immigration.

💡Asylum Seekers

Asylum seekers are individuals who have applied for asylum, a form of protection, in another country due to a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country. The script discusses the 'surging numbers of asylum seekers' and the political agenda surrounding their acceptance, reflecting the tension between humanitarian concerns and national interests.

💡Governing Coalition

A governing coalition refers to a partnership between two or more political parties that work together to form a government. The script indicates that the governing coalition in Germany is facing dwindling support, which is tied to their stance on migration. This shows how migration policy can influence political alliances and public opinion.

💡Far-right AFD

The far-right AFD (Alternative for Germany) is a political party known for its nationalist and anti-immigration stance. The script notes that AFD is gaining ground due to its position on migration, demonstrating how certain political parties can capitalize on public concerns about immigration to gain support.

💡Polling Institute

A polling institute is an organization that conducts surveys to gauge public opinion on various issues. The script cites the 'polling Institute infr test, dmap' to show changing attitudes towards immigration among Germans, indicating the role of polling data in understanding and shaping political discourse.

💡Immigration Benefits

Immigration benefits refer to the positive impacts that immigration can have on a society, such as economic growth, cultural diversity, and demographic balance. The script contrasts this with the prevailing sentiment that immigration causes problems, highlighting a debate about the net effects of immigration on Germany.

💡Refugees

Refugees are individuals who have been forced to flee their country because of persecution, war, or violence. The script mentions 'more than a million refugees' coming to Germany due to the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the scale of the refugee crisis and its impact on Germany's immigration policy.

💡Interior Minister

The interior minister is a government official responsible for internal affairs, including immigration and border control. The script discusses a U-turn by the German interior minister regarding border checks, illustrating how political figures can change policy in response to public sentiment and the migration crisis.

💡European Dimension

The European dimension refers to the broader implications of an issue within the context of the European Union. The script mentions the difficulty in agreeing on a common asylum system and the challenge of policing Europe's borders, indicating that migration is not just a national issue but also a regional one that requires coordinated action.

💡Visa Scandal

A visa scandal refers to a situation where there are allegations of misconduct or corruption in the issuance of visas. The script mentions a visa scandal in Poland involving the alleged acceptance of money to speed up visa applications, which has implications for Germany as some of these migrants have arrived there. This highlights the interconnected nature of immigration policy and the potential for corruption to affect migration flows.

Highlights

Migration and the economy are the top concerns for Germans according to the latest Infratest dimap poll.

The poll shows dwindling support for the governing coalition, while the far-right AfD is gaining ground due to its stance on migration.

Germany has seen a surge in asylum applications, with numbers in the first 8 months of 2023 nearly matching the total from 2022.

Over a million refugees have arrived in Germany as a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, straining local resources like healthcare, schools, and housing.

Opposition parties are raising alarms about the capacity of local authorities to manage the influx of migrants.

The Infratest dimap poll reveals that only 27% of Germans believe immigration brings benefits, while nearly two-thirds think it causes problems.

64% of Germans think the country should take in fewer refugees, a sentiment higher than in recent years.

A rise in migrants arriving via Poland and the Czech Republic has led to a policy shift from Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, now advocating for more border controls.

Efforts to create a common asylum system within the EU are proving difficult, raising concerns about how to protect Europe’s borders.

A visa scandal in Poland, where consulates are accused of taking money to expedite visa applications, is complicating Germany’s immigration debate.

Chancellor Scholz is demanding an investigation into the Polish visa scandal and is concerned about the effects on Germany.

There is growing skepticism in Germany about the possibility of realizing a common European refugee policy, with fewer than a quarter believing it will happen soon.

During elections, the rhetoric around migration and law enforcement is heating up, with leaders from parties like CDU and AfD pushing anti-migrant messages.

Despite efforts to show unity on migration policies with other EU nations, Germany still faces internal disagreements on asylum rules and human rights concerns.

The German government is adjusting its approach to migration policy, particularly with Interior Minister Faeser’s U-turn on stationary border controls.

Transcripts

now migration and the economy are the

top of the list of concerns for Germans

that's according to the latest numbers

from the polling Institute infr test

dmap it shows dwindling support for the

governing Coalition while the farri

right afd is gaining ground over its

stance on

migration what to do about surging

numbers of Asylum Seekers right now that

question is near the top of the

political agenda in Germany in the

first8 months of this year the number of

Asylum applications has been almost as

high as in the whole of

2022 more than a million refugees have

come to Germany as a result of Russia's

war in

Ukraine local authorities are under

strain as they struggle to provide

accommodation Health Care schools and

daycare centers opposition parties are

sounding the alarm we have to solve this

problem dear

friends that many Germans share the

concern is evident from the latest infr

test dmap opinion poll it shows only

just over a quarter of Germans think

immigration brings benefits while nearly

2third think immigration causes problems

that's higher than it's been in recent

years the poll also shows 64% of Germans

think the country should take in fewer

refugees with just 27% saying the

current numbers are

okay a further problem for the

government is an increase in the number

of migrants arriving via Poland and the

Czech Republic that has prompted a

U-turn from interior Minister Nancy

faser who long opposed more fixed checks

on Germany's normally Open Frontiers she

now says the borders to Germany's East

should be more closely

controlled we absolutely have to stop

the smuggers cruel business because they

put people's lives at risk for maximum

profit the European Dimension to this

problem Looms behind the debate in

Germany efforts to agree a common Asylum

system in the EU continue to prove

difficult as does the question of how to

police Europe's

Frontiers if we do not manage to protect

the external borders and enforce these

procedures then open borders in the EU

are in

danger add to that a Visa Scandal

currently engulfing Poland whose

consulates are accused of accepting

money from migrants to speed up Visa

applications some of those people have

arrived in Germany to the annoyance of

Chancellor

schz Visa scand the Visa Scandal that's

now taking place in Poland needs to be

investigated I don't want Poland to

Simply wave us through and then have a

discussion about her Asylum policy

afterwards most people agree a European

approach to limiting irregular migration

is needed but the infr test poll shows

most Germans doubt it will come soon

under a quarter think a common European

Refugee policy can be realized in the

near

future as the search for Solutions

continues and migrants arrive in record

numbers Germany is debating how open it

can be and whether everyone deserves a

welcome let's take a closer look at this

with our political correspondent

Benjamin alvaris Gruber welcome Benjamin

why are Germans are changing their minds

about welcoming

immigrants so we see that that's

definitely a change in the rethoric and

the rethoric that we usually see from

Germany's for afd party is gaining

ground outside of the party there are

remarks also by Party leaders there was

a recent example by F Mass the leader of

the conservative acdu party that we saw

in the report I quote while um AUM

Seeker sit at the doctor's office and

have the teeth redone German citizens

next door don't get any appointments

there was something a controversial

remark that was immediately debunked by

doctors by Refugee organizations and

it's not the first time that he has

misrepresented the entitlement that

refugees have to state benefits but this

is only an example to show you how

especially during times of Elections and

there are two State elections coming up

here in Germany um this Law and Order

and this anti-migrant approach also is

seen also by other uh Party leaders

there will be elections in Bavaria also

and to give you another example a state

leader Marosa recently visited a

checkpoint he praised the state's Border

Police as a model for Germany and he

said well the eu's external borders are

not effectively protected we must secure

our own borders so there is indeed a

shift in politics but if we just saw in

that report in the general population

there is an increased dissatisfaction

with the developments and how the German

government is dealing with asy and

policy with this poll that 64% of

Germans think that the country should

take in fewer refugees let's look at

that dissatisfaction then now what does

that mean for the government govern's

popularity so the German government

Coalition is changing his approach we

can see this Law and Order approach to

with German interior Minister and Nancy

feasa there was indeed a really strong

u-turn on stationary border control she

said that they were ineffective that

they need a high number of police

officers to guard them she's not openly

advocating for them in talks with her

counterparts from Poland also from the

Czech Republic there are still

differences in that some that we saw

yesterday during this meeting of EU um

interior ministers in Brussels um on how

to change this migration laws and even

though yesterday German foreign minister

analina babok welcomed her Italian

counterpart Antonio tayani they wanted

to show a sign of unity but underneath

there are still many topics that need to

be resolved on human rights guarantees

and detention centers the role of ngos

when it comes to facilitating migrant

arrivals but Germany has made it clear

that it is ready to agree on this new

compromise a proposal for how to

regulate migration on the European Union

for the European Union despite there are

still concerns and those concerns are

indeed shared with human rights

associations thank you for that at DW

political correspondent Benjamin Alvarez

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