The number of asylum seekers is increasing. In October, the federal government registered more than 3,200 asylum applications, about 20 percent more than in September. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) had to sharply adjust its forecast for 2022 upwards.
Because it is not only Ukrainians who flee to us. More and more people from Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria and Burundi are also coming to Switzerland. The SEM now assumes a total of 22,000 to 25,000 asylum applications for the current year. This would almost double the number compared to last year, when the pandemic made mobility even more difficult.
SEM boss Christine Schraner Burgener (59) speaks of “the biggest refugee crisis since World War II”.
Switzerland should increase protection again
That causes the SVP to sit up and take notice. After all, it is one of their core themes. And the SVP wouldn’t be the SVP if it weren’t loudly denouncing the increasing number of asylum seekers – after all, an election year is coming up.
It is also clear to the party leadership committee of the SVP: things cannot go on like this. Switzerland must strengthen its own border security again. The party leadership came to this conclusion on Saturday in Valais.
“Municipalities no longer know what to do”
“Both the protection of the EU’s external border with Frontex and the Schengen system are clearly becoming less and less effective,” says SVP Vice-President and National Councilor Marcel Dettling (41). “Thanks to gangs of people smugglers, many sham asylum seekers can cross several safe countries unhindered before they reach our country.”
The federal government is already overwhelmed with the many procedures, as a result of which asylum seekers are forwarded more quickly to the cantons, which must quickly provide additional reception options. The cantons would in turn hold the municipalities responsible. “These are already at the limit and don’t know what to do anymore,” says Dettling.
“We must act immediately”
For the vice president of the SVP it is clear: “We must protect Switzerland.” Systematic controls at national borders are necessary until the situation has calmed down throughout the European area. “Until then, the army should provide assistance at the borders if necessary,” says Dettling. “We have to take matters into our own hands again.”
A military operation on the Swiss border would not be the first time. Marechaussees and a militia battalion were already helping at the borders during the corona pandemic – and they were armed. For example, the military took on security tasks for passenger traffic, support for traffic control and guarding border crossings and areas of the site.
In the upcoming winter session, the SVP wants to put forward corresponding proposals in parliament. “But actually we have to act immediately,” emphasizes Dettling. “The Bundesrat must finally take its responsibility.” (dba)