From the point of view of the government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, more capacities in initial reception facilities in the state are not a solution to the current challenges. The Ministry of the Interior plays the ball back to the municipalities.
Schwerin (dpa/mv) – The Ministry of the Interior of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania does not consider more capacity in initial reception facilities to be the right solution for accommodating refugees. The current 1700 places correspond to 36.5 percent of the number of asylum seekers in 2022, the ministry told the German Press Agency.
The city and community day had called for the places to be increased to 4,700, as in 2015. From the state’s point of view, these places were necessary at the time because, at around 18,850 people, significantly more refugees came to the country. Emergency shelters such as in Fünfeichen, Basephl and Mühlengeez were also included. At that time, the proportion of those who could have been accommodated in an initial reception center was 24.9 percent and thus significantly lower than at present. In the previous year, the capacity had already been increased by 400 places.
The municipal association seems to “start from the misconception that the asylum seekers are “gone” from the point of view of the municipalities,” said the ministry. More capacity in the country only means that its properties would be used in some counties. These circles would thus be held more accountable than others.
The question of where and by whom new facilities for accommodating refugees are created goes back to the municipalities. The state takes over the financial requirements for accommodation and care. There would be no disadvantages for the communities. From the point of view of the Ministry of the Interior, the capacities for the initial reception are only intended to be able to carry out the first steps in the asylum procedure quickly and in quick succession.
Excluded from the debate are war refugees from Ukraine, who, due to a special EU rule, do not have to go through a lengthy asylum procedure for protection and thus have access to free housing and the job market. Last year, more than 22,000 people came to the north-east from Ukraine. Many of them found accommodation with private individuals.
