In a heated response to the German government’s announcement of additional charter flights for vulnerable individuals fleeing Afghanistan, Saxony's Interior Minister Armin Schuster (CDU) expressed his outrage, suggesting that such actions are politically inappropriate and socially divisive. Schuster criticized Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) for what he characterized as an irresponsible push to facilitate these flights just before her departure from office.
"The political decency requires a caretaker government to exercise restraint and not to intensify what the new government is known not to stand for," Schuster told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. He described Baerbock's last-minute decisions as "really infamous and completely misguided," arguing that they could further polarize German society.
According to the Interior Ministry, three flights are scheduled this month to bring Afghan citizens from Pakistan to Germany, specifically on April 16, April 23, and April 29, 2025. These flights are intended to evacuate former local staff of German institutions in Afghanistan, as well as particularly vulnerable individuals such as human rights lawyers and women's rights activists.
The German government reiterated that commitments to accept these individuals are legally binding. As of March 10, 2025, there were commitments for the admission of around 2,800 Afghans, a number that reflects Germany's ongoing obligations to those deemed in need of protection. However, Schuster pointed out that while the absolute numbers of those being brought to Germany may seem small, the impact on local communities is significant.
Schuster voiced concerns about the capacity of German cities and municipalities to handle the influx, noting that many are already overwhelmed with issues related to financing and housing. He stated that after more than a decade of largely unregulated migration policy, successful integration of these individuals is increasingly unlikely. The Minister also highlighted that the large number of family members accompanying those identified as needing protection indicates that the program is spiraling out of control.
Furthermore, Schuster criticized the Foreign Office, led by Baerbock, for allegedly misusing diplomatic opportunities with the Taliban. He claimed that instead of focusing on the repatriation of individuals who have lost their right to stay due to serious criminal offenses, the government is prioritizing the relocation of tens of thousands to Germany.
The Union parliamentary group had previously urged the Foreign Office to halt any flights from Afghanistan until a new government is formed. In late March, a flight carrying 174 vulnerable Afghans and their relatives landed in Hanover, which included 82 women and 92 men, with 74 individuals under the age of 18, including 9 children under the age of 2.
As the situation progresses, many are watching closely how the new government will address these complex issues surrounding migration and integration, especially in light of the criticisms levied by Schuster and others. The balance between humanitarian obligations and domestic capacity remains a contentious topic in German politics.
With the upcoming elections and the potential for a shift in policy direction, the actions taken by the outgoing government may have lasting implications on how Germany handles refugee admissions in the future. The debate continues over the best approach to support those in need while ensuring that local communities are not left to bear the burden alone.
