German officials laud new integration law as ‘historic step’

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Series Details 14.04.16
Publication Date 14/04/2016
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The governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) hailed on the 14 April 2016 their agreement on a new draft integration law, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel calling it a 'historic step' in the regulation of migrants arriving in Germany.

Members of the three coalition partners spent hours discussing the first draft of the law, which was formally voted on during a closed-door cabinet meeting on 24 May 2016 at Meseberg

The new law, if adopted by the Bundestag in July 2016, would be a reaction to the wave of predominantly Muslim refugees, most of them from the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa, who have been arriving in Germany.

The tough measures were aimed to spur the integration of migrants and refugees, including work and education opportunities, but the measures also included sanctions for failing to take part in programmes such as language classes and cultural awareness.

'Language, work and, yes, a set of values are the three crucially important components in successful integration', said Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière on the 25 May 2016 at a joint press conference with Federal Labour Minister Andrea Nahles. All these points were reflected in the Integration Act.

[July 2016: The law was adopted by the Germany Parliament in July 2016]

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