Scholz in Chemnitz: Deportations "clearest signal"

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has described the deportation of criminals to Afghanistan as the "clearest signal". "We have ensured that the announcement that serious criminals will also be sent back to Afghanistan, for example, will be implemented," said Scholz at the end of the Saxon SPD's election campaign in Chemnitz. "Actively taking action, careful planning, not making so many speeches and making sure that things work. That is my principle and our principle."

This morning, Germany deported Afghan nationals back to their country of origin for the first time since the Taliban took power three years ago. According to Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, this involved 28 offenders.

"Germany needs workers from other countries"

In his speech, Scholz emphasized that Germany needs workers from other countries around the world. "Otherwise, prosperity and a future in Germany will not work out." Both are needed: openness for the labor market and those who need protection, but also clear regulations for the management of migration.

The German government has made more far-reaching decisions than many years and decades before, said Scholz. "And you can see that it has worked." Border controls had reduced irregular migration and the number of returns had increased.

Vociferous counter-protest

The SPD event at Chemnitz Neumarkt was accompanied by vociferous counter-protest. Boos and whistles could be heard repeatedly from a rally organized by the far-right party Freie Sachsen.

Scholz described the demonstrators as "sloganeers" who would achieve nothing. "Some are so busy shouting that they don't even notice the future," said the Federal Chancellor.