The Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State has successfully concluded its polio immunization exercise, vaccinating 225,535 infants and children under the age of five. This was disclosed by the council’s Information Officer, Salisu Yakasai, who confirmed that the immunisation targets were fully met. “During the exercise, 225,535 infants and under-five children were successfully immunised,”
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and candidate for Chancellor of Germany, has called for fundamental changes in Germany’s immigration and asylum policies. He emphasized that deporting criminals from Syria and Afghanistan should be prioritized, even amid instability in these countries.
In an interview with the German news agency, Merz stated, “We know that Syria and Afghanistan remain highly unstable. However, we in the party have long believed that deportations to these countries are fundamentally possible and necessary. We will do this.” His remarks highlight his strong stance on tackling immigration issues.
Merz also stressed the need for reforms in Germany’s asylum and immigration policies. He promised significant changes in these areas if he were to win the upcoming election. His focus would be on creating a more controlled and sustainable immigration system.
According to Germany’s Interior Ministry, approximately 975,000 Syrians currently live in Germany. Most arrived after the Syrian civil war began in 2015, with over 300,000 receiving “subsidiary protection” due to the ongoing conflict.
Merz is a proponent of labor migration and opposes the current asylum system. He stressed the importance of distinguishing between asylum seekers and labor migrants. He argued that Germany has already provided significant support to refugees, but the number of asylum seekers has become unsustainable, and the capacity of cities and communities is reaching its limit.
To address labor migration, Merz’s party has proposed creating a digital agency called “Work and Residency” to streamline and regulate the process of labor migration separately from asylum applications.
The ongoing refugee crisis in Germany has sparked intense debate about the future of asylum policies. Merz’s calls for reform reflect a growing concern over the social and economic impact of large numbers of refugees on Germany’s infrastructure and public services.
As European countries, particularly Germany, continue to struggle with managing refugee influxes, a more streamlined and controlled approach to immigration may be necessary. However, this must be balanced with a humanitarian approach that protects the rights and dignity of refugees fleeing war and persecution. The challenge lies in finding a solution that is both sustainable and compassionate.