Austria pushes back against German migrant return plan

Austria has resolved not to accept migrants who are turned back at the border with Germany. This is a reaction to announcements from the German ruling coalition, which plans to return asylum seekers.

"The Ministry of the Interior has therefore instructed the affected state police directorates not to accept entry refusals by the German authorities that are contrary to EU law and to report any observations immediately," states the announcement sent to the dpa agency.

The Austrian Ministry of the Interior stated that it does not intend to accept asylum seekers whom Germany plans to send back. This statement was conveyed by the Austrian ministry to the dpa agency.

The Austrian police have already received detailed guidelines on this matter. "Austria will not take back migrants who have been turned away at the Austrian-German border by Germany," the statement emphasised.

The new Austrian coalition government, composed of the Austrian People's Party (OeVP), the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPOe), and the liberal NEOS group, also plans to tighten migration regulations. Politicians have announced, among other measures, the suspension of the family reunification process for those eligible for temporary protection.

Austria's decision is a response to German plans, which Vienna considers to be in violation of EU law. The Austrian government has already taken initial steps to counter them. "The Ministry of the Interior has instructed the state police to promptly report any of their observations," added the statement.