In an interview with Die Welt, Markus Söder says Europe will only work if its external borders are properly protected. The Bavarian finance minister also says the reality of the situation is that between 2,000 and 3,000 refugees arrive daily in Bavaria.
Söder told Die Welt that the number of refugees arriving in Europe must be capped at 200,000 in 2016.
Greece is also under huge economic pressure, forced to implement tax and pension reforms in order to receive more money from the EU; while still facing a potential "Grexit" from the Eurozone.
People on the Balkan route to Europe https://t.co/KN3sFmR7ea #RefugeesCrisis pic.twitter.com/G03u2COQGV
— Bruegel (@Bruegel_org) February 12, 2016
However, Söder suggests the Eurozone crisis should not be mixed with the country's refugee crisis.
"You will need to think about the consequences… security is the basis for economic stability.
"We need a national Abschiebeplan — an agreement between federal and state governments. If we make the current recognition rates as the basis, 350,000 people should be deported… This must be done consistently and quickly," Söder said.
Speaking ahead of the EU summit, the chancellor said the failure of EU countries to commit to relocating 160,000 refugees was "laughable."
The German government expects half a million more refugees to arrive this year.
