Migrants are making plans to travel to the UK after German politicians announced plans for a large deportation center on the Polish border. Katrin Lange, Interior Minister for the state of Brandenburg, told the German newspaper Bild earlier this week that her government would establish a “departure center” in Eisenhüttenstadt.
The facility aims to expedite the deportation process for asylum seekers who have applied for international protection in other EU countries before arriving in Germany. As Germany prepares for federal elections on Sunday, with a hard-right party expected to secure second place for the first time since World War II, The Express has been monitoring the political climate in the EU powerhouse.
If polling is accurate, around one in five voters may cast their ballots for the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD). Regardless of the winner, German voters are increasingly calling for stricter immigration policies amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Express spoke with migrants at an existing camp in Eisenhüttenstadt and learned that many are now considering traveling to other countries.
Tougher German immigration policies could accelerate this trend. Khalid, a Syrian migrant, said he wanted to remain in Germany and seek asylum but may reconsider due to poor living conditions. “Our situation is very bad here,” said Khalid, who traveled through Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey before reaching Germany.
“People say, ‘We cannot stay here, it is very bad and disgusting.’ Some choose to travel to another country. I don’t have experience in the UK, but I have heard the situation is often better than Germany. You can work faster, and English is easier [to learn] than German. Maybe [it’s better in Britain] because the immigration numbers are not as big.
“[But] people keep it a secret [if they are planning to go] as they know they will be going illegally.” Waseem, from Pakistan, applied legally to come to the UK with his wife but was rejected. He said two other families from his homeland were also denied but remained determined to travel to Britain. Asked if they planned to cross by small boat, he responded: “Maybe.”
However, Waseem admitted he had reconsidered the UK as a destination. I’m listening to the news every day, and the current situation in the UK is not good. Germany is a little better economically and [in allowing] refugees to stay,” he said. “[But overall] European countries and England are excellent, especially for refugees.”
Four main parties dominate Germany’s polls, with the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) allies leading. Their candidate, Friedrich Merz, is widely expected to challenge incumbent Olaf Scholz for the chancellorship.
The Greens have nominated Robert Habeck, while the AfD, led by Alice Weidel and backed by Elon Musk, is polling in second place. Whoever emerges victorious, this election is shaping up to be one of Germany’s most pivotal in recent memory.
