Heads of government discuss asylum policy and broadcasting fee

The heads of government of the federal states will continue the Minister Presidents' Conference in Leipzig on Friday. At midday, Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) and his counterpart from Lower Saxony Stephan Weil (SPD) will present the outcome of the consultations. The main points of contention were further measures in asylum policy and an agreement on the proposed increase in the broadcasting fee.

On the subject of migration, the CDU/CSU-led states insisted on a tougher approach. SPD state leaders, on the other hand, accused the CDU/CSU of already being in election campaign mode.

It was also unclear whether the state premiers would agree to an increase in the broadcasting fee. An increase of 58 cents to 18.94 euros per month from January is on the table. Several heads of government had stated in advance that reforms would first have to be implemented in the broadcasters.