A Christmas message from the Bautzen District Administrator Udo Witschas on the accommodation of refugees caused criticism. In a video published on Facebook on Tuesday evening, the CDU politician said, among other things, that refugees in the district should not be housed in gyms or in decentralized accommodation. “It is not our intention to let sports, whether school or leisure sports, bleed for this asylum policy,” Witschas said in the video.
In addition, the district office does not want to “accommodate people who come to us, who do not know our culture, who do not know our regulations, here in apartment buildings and vacant apartments and accept the threat to social peace”. He left open where he wants to house asylum seekers instead.
Witschas then defended himself on his Facebook page. He criticized a shortened presentation on social media. It is not generally about the accommodation of asylum seekers, but about the specific effects of the district council decision, according to which another planned community accommodation in Hoyerswerda was rejected. With the video he wanted to react to the concerns of sports clubs and tenants, according to Witschas.
Kretschmer: “People are housed decently”
The Saxon CDU state leader and Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer also spoke of a shortened presentation. The statements were taken out of context, creating a false context. “The people who come to us now are housed decently and are looked after here according to the best standards. That’s not a question at all.”
Kretschmer spoke out in favor of accommodating refugees in community accommodation in order to organize social and medical care and a constitutional process. Everywhere in Germany there is a discussion about using gymnasiums to accommodate those seeking protection. “We don’t want that in Saxony. We deliberately want to organize other forms of accommodation.”
Commissioner for foreigners for decentralized accommodation
On the other hand, the Christian Democrat Commissioner for Foreigners of the Free State, Geert Mackenroth, spoke out in favor of decentralized accommodation for refugees because that would be better for the integration of families in particular. Witschas is doing the job market in the district of Bautzen a disservice, since his statements also prevent foreign workers from taking up residence and work in the district of Bautzen.
Criticism of Witscha’s message also came from Thuringia’s head of government Bodo Ramelow (left): A CDU member explains to the citizens why people seeking protection are not allowed to enter an empty apartment and then wishes “merry Christmas”. “He didn’t understand the Christmas story! Really not!” Ramelow tweeted.
