Dresden’s Mayor Dirk Hilbert, of the FDP party, has filed a protest against the AfD’s proposal to introduce a separate payment card for asylum seekers in the city. According to Hilbert, the implementation of the card would be disadvantageous for Dresden and would incur high costs. The decision to revoke the approval of the AfD proposal comes after the city council’s vote, which received national attention, with CDU votes helping to pass the motion. Hilbert stated that while he supports the nationwide introduction of a payment card for refugees, creating a separate card for Dresden would not be practical.
The city council had approved the AfD’s proposal to introduce a separate payment card for asylum seekers in Dresden, with support from the CDU, FDP, and Free Voters. However, CDU’s national chairman Friedrich Merz criticized his party colleagues for supporting the AfD proposal despite previously stating they would not approve any AfD motions in any parliament. The federal government and states have agreed to provide part of the state benefits for asylum seekers as credit on a payment card. However, the exact timing of the legislation in the Bundestag is still uncertain. The specific design of the card is the responsibility of the states. Hilbert argued that the implementation of a separate card for Dresden would incur costs without financial coverage, estimating costs of 140,000 to 230,000 euros for a minimum three-month period.
The Mayor of Dresden, Dirk Hilbert, invoked his right to protest against the decision of the city council to introduce a separate payment card for asylum seekers in the city. He expressed concerns about the additional costs and administrative burdens that would be incurred by implementing a local card system. Hilbert’s protest is in accordance with the Saxon Municipal Code, which allows the mayor to object to decisions that are deemed to be detrimental to the municipality. In this case, Hilbert cited the lack of financial coverage as a reason for his protest and emphasized that a separate card for Dresden would not be feasible before a national solution is in place.
The controversy surrounding the AfD’s proposal to introduce a separate payment card for asylum seekers in Dresden has sparked debate within the city council and national politics. While some council members supported the proposal, others, including Mayor Hilbert, have raised concerns about the practicality and cost-effectiveness of implementing a local card system. The decision to revoke the approval of the AfD proposal will be reconsidered in the next city council meeting, where the financial implications and feasibility of the separate card system will be further discussed. The outcome of the upcoming vote will determine the future of the payment card system for asylum seekers in Dresden.
The debate over the introduction of a separate payment card for asylum seekers in Dresden reflects broader tensions within German politics regarding immigration and asylum policy. The AfD’s proposal has divided opinion among city council members and raised questions about the role of the CDU in supporting the motion. Mayor Hilbert’s decision to protest against the proposal highlights the complexities of balancing local and national interests in the implementation of refugee assistance programs. Moving forward, the city council will need to carefully consider the financial implications and practical considerations of introducing a separate payment card system for asylum seekers in Dresden.
