Germany has suspended admissions of refugees via a UN resettlement programme, the interior ministry said on Tuesday, as a new coalition government that is expected to tighten immigration rules prepares to take office.
Migration has been a contentious issue in coalition negotiations between Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats, which are expected to conclude within weeks.
The conservatives are advocating a stricter approach to asylum seekers in response to rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and several violent incidents involving refugees.
The two sides have struck a preliminary agreement to end voluntary federal admission programmes for refugees such as the U.N. programme - the only one currently active - and not to launch any new ones, according to a document seen by Reuters.
Germany has participated since 2016 in a European Union resettlement scheme that accepts refugees selected by the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR. Most come from Turkey, Egypt, Jordan or Kenya, or from Libya via Rwanda.
The ministry said 4,711 people had arrived in Germany through the programme since 2024, out of the 13,000 refugees that Germany has promised the European Commission it will take in for 2024 and 2025 combined.
Despite the suspension, admissions that are already well advanced, with concrete commitments, will go ahead, a ministry spokesperson said.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged maximum restraint following India’s missile strikes on Pakistani territory, warning that a military confrontation between the two countries would carry global consequences.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called the recent escalation between India and Pakistan a “shame”, responding to New Delhi’s missile strikes on Pakistani territory.
Azerbaijan has signed a landmark partnership agreement with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) aimed at accelerating the development of winter tourism and sports, and positioning the country as a host of world-class international competitions, authorities announced on Tuesday.
Azerbaijan has pledged $2 million to the Asian Development Fund, reinforcing its commitment to addressing climate change and supporting vulnerable nations in the region.
On May 6, 2025, Friedrich Merz faced an unprecedented setback before ultimately securing his position as Germany's new chancellor.
Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari posted a strong 17% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter of 2025, but warned that U.S. import tariffs could pose a threat to its earnings outlook for the year ahead.
Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland, the administration announced Tuesday.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Trump administration’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military to take effect, a decision that could lead to the discharge of thousands of servicemembers and marks a significant rollback of transgender rights under federal policy.
India and Pakistan have engaged in a new round of military confrontation, with India launching missile strikes into Pakistani territory on May 6, 2025.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has announced the upcoming release of a documentary film about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
ChatGPT has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential artificial intelligence tools, transforming how we interact with technology through natural language.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
New Tesla registrations in Denmark collapsed 67 % in April to 180 vehicles, industry data showed Thursday, underscoring a sharp demand drop for the EV maker in one of its once-strong European markets.
Friedrich Merz, the 69-year-old conservative leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has become Germany's 10th chancellor following his party's victory in the February 2025 election.
The United States on Tuesday formally congratulated Friedrich Merz on his election as Germany’s new chancellor, reaffirming its commitment to close transatlantic cooperation amid evolving global challenges.
Following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, the Catholic Church is preparing for one of its most ancient and secretive traditions: the papal conclave. This process to elect the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church combines centuries-old rituals with modern security measures to ensure
The recent rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Northern German states has drawn attention to the economic underpinnings of political shifts in the region.
On May 6, 2025, Friedrich Merz faced an unprecedented setback before ultimately securing his position as Germany's new chancellor.
On May 6, 2025, Friedrich Merz faced an unprecedented setback before ultimately securing his position as Germany's new chancellor.
Italian luxury carmaker Ferrari posted a strong 17% year-on-year increase in net profit for the first quarter of 2025, but warned that U.S. import tariffs could pose a threat to its earnings outlook for the year ahead.
Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland, the administration announced Tuesday.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Trump administration’s ban on transgender individuals serving in the military to take effect, a decision that could lead to the discharge of thousands of servicemembers and marks a significant rollback of transgender rights under federal policy.
India and Pakistan have engaged in a new round of military confrontation, with India launching missile strikes into Pakistani territory on May 6, 2025.
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