Without status and without protection: what the far-right want to do with Ukrainians in Germany
The pre-election program is shocking: it proposes to push Ukrainians out and be friends with Russia again
As writes the Financial Times, on the eve of elections in the state of Saxony-Anhalt the far-right party AfD presented a draft government program of 156 pages. In this region, according to the publication, support for AfD is approaching 40%. The document states that Ukrainians should no longer have refugee status in Germany, and the state should encourage them to return.
A separate emphasis in the program is placed on a tough anti-immigration policy. The party promotes a course of mass deportations of illegal migrants, opposes the recruitment of foreign specialists and advances the idea of the so-called “farewell culture” instead of the “culture of hospitality”.
Another worrying block concerns Russia. AfD proposes lifting energy sanctions, restoring supplies of Russian gas, returning to the issue of the Nord Stream and even reviving school exchanges with Russians. At the same time, the far right wants to ban gender-inclusive language in the official sphere and impose a conservative view of the family as the only norm.
The program also contains controversial theses on historical memory: the party effectively calls into question Germany‘s current approach to coming to terms with the Nazi past. Against this background, center-right politicians are already calling a possible success of AfD a serious threat. For Ukraine, such rhetoric is dangerous not only because of its stance toward refugees, but also because of the obvious overlap of part of this program with the interests of the Kremlin.
Earlier we wrote:
- Poland cancels a separate law on assistance to Ukrainian refugees
- Men are fleeing to Europe en masse: in September the number of Ukrainians in the EU increased by 50%
- Almost 5 mln Ukrainians fled the war to the EU – there they plan to “wind down” refugee protection
- “Nord Stream-2” and the Zaporizhzhia NPP to be handed over to the USA? What do you think of the intermediaries?
- The EU is preparing for a new wave of refugees from Ukraine: Germany and Austria are at odds
This article highlights some worrying trends. The push to cut social benefits and encourage returns, coupled with closer ties with Russia, creates a dangerous situation for Ukrainians in Germany. It's crucial to remember that forcing returns without ensuring safety isn't a solution, but rather a potential betrayal.
This article highlights some genuinely concerning proposals from the far-right in Germany. The idea of preventing Ukrainians from obtaining refugee status and actively encouraging their return home, especially amidst an ongoing war, feels particularly harsh and lacking in humanitarian consideration. It's a stark reminder of the political pressures facing vulnerable communities.
Reducing social benefits and making it harder for Ukrainians to obtain protection would leave people who fled war especially vulnerable. Stricter residency rules and deportation policies should be considered with compassion and respect for their safety, not used as political tools. Europe’s support for Ukraine and its displaced citizens matters greatly, particularly as some far-right movements advocate closer ties with Russia.