Government stops family reunification: conflict about asylum law escalated!

Government stops family reunification: conflict about asylum law escalated!

In Austria, the political mood is bubbling: The new government has decided on the controversial stop of the family reunification in a cabinet meeting and thus initiated an alarming step in asylum policy. This decision comes at a time when the number of asylum applications increases and illustrates the strict measures of the coalition from the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic SPÖ and the liberal Neos, which only came into office in early March. Chancellor Christian Stocker defended the decision and emphasized that Austria's recording capacities in the education sector have already been overloaded. Between 2021 and 2023, around 18,000 people were brought into the country in this form, including numerous minor and school -age children. This development has led to an intensification of the political dispute.

criticism from the opposition

The left is outraged by these measures. Angelika Adensamer, top candidate of the KPÖ and left, let her displeasure run free and criticized the SPÖ and its chairman Andreas Babler. In their opinion, they have conjured up humanity and solidarity before the elections, but now promoted a policy of absolute standstill and ignorance. Addenamer described the suspension of family reunification as a blatant violation of human rights and accused the leading politicians indifference, while they ignored the concerns of asylum enthusiasts. The government claims that the EU emergency clause justifies this step to ensure internal security, but the critics see it a serious violation of international agreements.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner had previously asked to limit family reunification through stricter tests, and now the government is concerned with ending it. These political concerns are taken up from different sides, and the upcoming elections in Vienna bring additional pressure on the actors. Clear viewpoints seem to be asked, while the current government adheres to its temporary policy, which, according to Chancellor Stocker, should be tailored to all of Austria's needs. The national borders flash, while the dispute over humanitarian values and one's own policy continues to flar down from solidarity. How it goes on remains uncertain.

This political turn provides discussions and exposes different views of the rescue of human rights, while the parties reposition themselves and polish up their electoral logans. For those affected on site, however, the current situation has a tangible, sometimes terrifying weight, which goes beyond political discourse.