Hanau – ESI evaluates the last 10 years of German migration policy

Hanau. Photo: flickr/flidolin

ESI’s Gerald Knaus attended a panel organized by the CDU in Hessen on migration and integration. Joining Gerald on the panel, titled „Vom Stadtbild zur Staatsfrage: 10 Jahre Migration im Rückblick“, was Hessen‘s interior minister Roman Poseck.

Ten years since the beginning of the refugee crisis, migration management remains at the centre of defending modern, democratic Europe. In service of his imperial designs, Vladimir Putin seeks to destabilise Europe by generating migration waves. This strategy has had paid dividends: large segments of the public now fear that migration is no longer under control. Far-right parties such as AfD in Germany and the RN in France have capitalised, spreading divisive and identitarian narratives through social media and gaining ground in opinion polls.

Gerald argued that democratic Europe must respond by communicating its own achievements more clearly and confidently. Contemporary Europe represents a remarkable success, characterised by high living standards, cross-border technological innovation, and strong rule-of-law institutions. We must also show that we can solve difficult issues, including migration. Gerald pointed to his plan for a migration partnership between the EU and the UK to decrease deaths and irregular crossings of the English Channel as an example of how democratic policymakers can seize the initiative and blunt the rise of the far right once again.

Event in Hanau. Photo: CDU Hanau

• ESI proposal: Safe Third Country Agreements
• ESI proposal: Stopping small boats in the Channel legally
• ESI Newsletter: The 100 million expulsions promise