German coalition approves tighter asylum rules

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), and their Social Democrat (SPD) coalition partners agreed on 28 January 2016 to tighten asylum rules, reaching a compromise on how to stem an influx of migrants that topped one million in 2015.

The new measures include a two-year ban on family reunions for asylum seekers who are granted limited refugee protection and speeding up the deportations of failed applicants, said Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, announcing the deal.

The coalition leaders agreed to extend the list of safe countries of origin to include Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Asylum-seekers from these countries would be returned to their home countries as swiftly as possible.

The decisions taken would mean that this second asylum package could be put in front of the Cabinet very swiftly.
The package would supplement the 1st asylum package which was agreed by the leaders of the coalition parties at a meeting on 5 November 2015.

German minister of labour and social affairs Andrea Nahles called in February 2016 for €450 million to help integrate refugees into the labour market.

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