Published: 17:26, April 8, 2025 | Updated: 17:54, April 8, 2025
Germany temporarily halts resettlement of UN refugees, dpa reports
By Reuters
In this file photo dated Aug 24, 2024, inhabitants enter a refugee accommodation under the eyes of police in Solingen, western Germany, during a police operation linked to a knife attack on a city festival on late Aug 23, 2024 in Solingen where three people were killed and several injured. (PHOTO / AFP)

BERLIN - Germany has temporarily suspended any further admission of refugees via a UN resettlement program, the dpa news agency reported on Tuesday, citing the interior ministry and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

The ministry had no immediate comment on the report when contacted by Reuters and the UNHCR could not be immediately reached.

Migration has been a contentious issue in government coalition negotiations between Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democrats.

READ MORE: Germany's outgoing government claims success over irregular immigration

The conservatives are advocating for a stricter approach to asylum seekers in response to rising support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and several violent incidents involving refugees.

So far in the coalition talks, which are yet to be sealed, the two sides struck an initial agreement to end voluntary federal admission programs for refugees wherever possible and not launch any new programs, according to a document seen by Reuters.

ALSO READ: Germany's far-right poised for expanded parliamentary role

According to the interior ministry, Germany planned to offer up to 6,560 places as part of an EU resettlement program this year. This program typically accepts refugees of various nationalities or stateless individuals from countries including Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan and Libya.