Skip next section UN urges Germany to keep taking part in resettlement program
06/28/2025June 28, 2025
UN urges Germany to keep taking part in resettlement program
Filippo Grandi, the head of the UN Refugee Agency (), expressed regret over the German government’s .
“This worries me,” Grandi told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.
“It would be nice if Germany could still take in a few refugees through this program,” he added, mentioning a person who is unsafe in their native country because of their homosexuality as an example.
Through the resettlement program, the UNHCR refers particularly vulnerable refugees, who cannot remain in their initial host countries, to other nations. Those accepted do not need to apply for asylum and are initially allowed to stay for three years.
Germany had originally pledged to accept a total of 13,000 refugees in 2024 and 2025, but this commitment was suspended following the government change in May.
Grandi also warned against forcing Syrian refugees to return to their homeland after the fall of the Assad regime, saying that the new government is inexperienced and that .
Since 2015, Germany has taken in more than one million Syrian refugees, though not through the UN mechanism.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wcJ6
Skip next section Scholz warns against having any illusions about Putin’s plans
06/28/2025June 28, 2025
Scholz warns against having any illusions about Putin’s plans
Former Chancellor delivered a farewell speech at the Social Democratic Party congress in Berlin.
He was self-critical in it, but defended the government’s policies under his leadership.
Scholz also warned against having any illusions about ‘s intentions. The Russian president wants to hold on to his conquests in Ukraine and would even like to expand them, said Scholz.
However, Putin must not be allowed to change borders by force, said the former chancellor. By doing so, the Russian leader has broken with decades of understanding in post-war Europe, Scholz added.
Consequences have been drawn from this turning point: “The Bundeswehr will become stronger and cooperation within NATO has reached new dimensions. That is also right,” said Scholz.
He called for high earners to contribute more towards financing defence capabilities, saying it is strange that they are even talking about tax cuts. “That’s an interesting mathematical calculation,” said Scholz. He continued: “I certainly believe that we are being called upon to show new solidarity in our country.”
Saskia Esken, the former co-party leader who did not stand for re-election, will also address the party congress delegates later in the day.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wcKj
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage06/28/2025June 28, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Guten Tag, and welcome to DW’s coverage of developments in Germany on Saturday, June 28.
The center-left continues its party congress in Berlin.
On Friday, Lars Klingbeil was re-elected as co-leader of the party, receiving 65% support, a significant decrease from the 85.6% he garnered in 2023.
Labor Minister Bärbel Bas was elected co-chair with 95%, replacing Saskia Esken. Germany’s February parliamentary elections saw the SPD relegated to third place in what was its worst showing in many decades.
For all of the latest news from Germany, stay tuned here.
https://p.dw.com/p/4wcEI
The post Germany updates: Social Democrats bid farewell to Scholz appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
