Migration in focus: Germany's heated debate about immigration!

Migration in focus: Germany's heated debate about immigration!

At today's Munich Economic Debates, which are organized by the Süddeutsche Zeitung and the Ifo Institute, the topic of migration is very much in focus. Only 12% of Germans see climate change as the most pressing political issue, while the majority prioritize migration and economic issues. Clemens Fuest, President of the Ifo Institute, and migration expert Gerald Knaus also emphasize the economic benefits of controlled immigration, which underlines the urgency and relevance of such discussions.

Gerald Knaus emphasized the need for an objective debate about migration in the context of the current challenge, the largest refugee crisis since the Second World War. In the past three years, Germany has recorded around 850,000 asylum applications, while over 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees live in the country. Knaus criticized the perception of Merkel's migration policy and noted that asylum applications have been reduced since 2017.

Integration of refugee women and social challenges

The Federal Employment Agency reported that by the end of 2024, 60% of foreign men and 50% of women will be employed in Germany. Fuest called for improved integration of refugee women into the labor market in order to fully utilize their potential. Knaus also highlighted that 80% of Germans want immigration to be limited, which highlights the challenges in society.

Knaus criticized Interior Minister Dobrindt's political measures, which he labeled as “political theater”. He called for a strengthened security architecture at the external borders with additional police officers and fences as well as deeper cooperation with safe third countries in order to get the situation better under control. He also addressed the problem of an ideological migration debate and appealed to a humanitarian perspective.

Migration as a response to climate change

In parallel to the economic and social discussions about migration, climate change is also a relevant topic. According to the media service Integration, climate change is endangering the livelihoods of many people worldwide. Droughts, floods and food shortages are just some of the devastating consequences that can cause migrants to leave their homes. However, migration is not automatically a consequence of climate change, as numerous professional, social and political factors also play a role.

Projections for climate-related migration are uncertain, and estimates suggest that up to 216 million people could be internally displaced by 2050. This particularly affects regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and South and Southeast Asia, where people are often poor and do not have the opportunity to migrate. Adaptability to environmental change and corresponding policy measures are crucial to support people affected by the consequences of climate change.

A pressing problem remains that there are few legal protections for people fleeing due to environmental changes. The Expert Council for Integration and Migration has put forward proposals such as a climate passport and a climate work visa to remedy this situation.

Overall, it is clear that both the economic aspects of migration and the influences of climate change cannot be ignored in the political discussion. The debate must be conducted on an objective level in order to find sustainable and humane solutions.