The mayor of Duisburg, Sören Link, asks for urgent measures against immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria who, he says, takes advantage of the social assistance system in Germany. It asks the federal government quick reforms and stricter controls.
Sören Link, a German mayor requesting the expulsion of Romanians who abuse the system: Instagram
Sören Link, the mayor of Duisburg in Germany, has launched a harsh attack on immigrants from Romania and Bulgaria, which he says is taking advantage of the social protection system without really working. He asks the federal government to adopt quick and strict measures to stop the phenomenon.
In a post on Instagram, the mayor refers to an article in the Welt publication, which describes the phenomenon of migration to cities in the Ruhr area, such as Duisburg and Gelsenkirchen. According to him, not all immigrants contribute to the German system, and some use legal portions to get large amounts of social aid.
“People work about five hours a month to earn 175 euros. For this minimum wage, they have the right to additional social benefits. That is looking for. I can easily bring for a family of six people an income of up to 2,700 euros per month ”said Sören Link.
Only 17% of Romanians have legal jobs in Duisburg
The mayor points out that the problem is not generalized, but specific to certain groups of immigrants from south-east of Europe. According to data quoted by Welt, only 17% of the approximately 26,000 Romanians and Bulgarians living in Duisburg have jobs that include social insurance contributions. In Gelsenkirchen, the percentage is even lower, 13% of the 12,000 immigrants are legally employed.
“Anyone who enters Germany in the free movement of workers must earn their existence for themselves and their family – otherwise they must leave the country”, Declared the mayor.
The link requires the increase of the minimum income threshold to receive social aid, as well as free access of the authorities to the data of those suspected of fraud, to facilitate identification and, if applicable, their expulsion.
Fear of the ascension of the extreme right in the elections
The statements come at a tense moment, just a few months before the elections in the North-Westfalia Renania Land, where the far-right AFD party is gaining more land. In Duisburg, AFD was close to a victory in recent elections, which intensified the pressure on local authorities to react firmly.
“The problem is known and I rely on the new federal government to take measures now”, Concluded Sören Link, referring to Friedrich Merz’s recent investment as a new Chancellor of Germany.
In response, local leaders demand the intensification of border controls to prevent criminals from entering the country and to prevent migration of votes to extremist parties.
