Germany’s coalition government has taken the decision to categorize Georgia and Moldova as safe countries of origin in a strategic effort to reduce asylum applications from these nations, which have historically seen a high rate of rejection.
The cabinet unanimously approved a proposed law presented by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, as part of a broader set of measures that emerged from a two-day cabinet retreat held at Schloss Meseberg, a castle located outside Berlin.
This classification implies that asylum applications originating from these countries may undergo expedited processing, potentially leading to quicker deportations for unsuccessful applicants.
Official data from the Ministry of Interior reveals that in 2022 and the first half of 2023, a staggering 99.9% of asylum applications from both Georgia and Moldova were declined. Together, these two countries accounted for over a tenth of all rejected applications. In the previous year, 8,865 Georgians and 5,218 individuals from Moldova applied for asylum in Germany.
The Ministry’s criteria for designating countries as safe include the absence of a general threat of state persecution and the provision of adequate state protection for its citizens.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration has also pursued measures to facilitate the acquisition of German citizenship by skilled migrants this year, aiming to alleviate chronic labor shortages. However, migration continues to be a contentious political issue and has contributed to the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is polling ahead of most mainstream parties and is poised to make significant gains in forthcoming state elections.
In response to the government’s move regarding Georgia and Moldova, the refugee rights group Pro Asyl voiced criticism, arguing that it disregards the fact that both countries have breakaway regions occupied by Russia, posing security concerns.
Pro Asyl also emphasized perceived setbacks to the rule of law in Georgia, issues related to LGBTIQ+ rights, and challenges to press freedom in Moldova. While Georgia has implemented laws against discrimination and hate crimes, LGBT+ rights advocates contend that law enforcement inadequately protects this community, and homophobia remains widespread in the socially conservative South Caucasus nation.
