SSW on migration and integration

The SSW wants people from countries outside the EU and stateless persons to be able to vote and run in local elections. The condition is that they live permanently in Schleswig-Holstein. In addition, municipalities should set up integration advisory councils.

Today, foreigners from countries outside the EU cannot vote in local elections. The SSW wants to change that. Anyone who lives permanently in Schleswig-Holstein should be allowed to vote. These people should also be able to run for office. Towns should get advisory councils for integration.

The right would cover both casting a vote and standing as a candidate. The party argues that representative democracy only works when broad parts of society are able to take part. The integration councils are meant to make it easier for foreign residents to integrate.

The SSW wants to set up a dedicated state ministry for integration and revise the Integrations- und Teilhabegesetz (Integration and Participation Act). Immigrants should find work more easily, learn German free of charge and have a political voice locally.

The SSW wants a separate ministry for integration. Integration means newcomers become a full part of society. They should learn German for free. They should find a job more easily. Towns should have advisory councils for integration.

The ministry is meant to pool responsibilities and resources. Foreign vocational qualifications should be recognized faster, and job placement should involve as little red tape as possible, especially in nursing care, health and education. Educational offerings should be free for every age group. Teaching of German as a second language is to be expanded according to need and funded continuously, and the number of German courses for refugees should rise. Permanent municipal integration councils are to enable political participation.

The SSW rejects tightening asylum law and calls for a humanitarian right to stay that is set out in law. It opposes detention pending deportation and wants deportations halted during the winter months.

The SSW does not want stricter asylum law. Refugees should be able to get a firm right to stay. The SSW is against locking people up before deportation. No one should be deported in winter.

The right to stay should not depend on a cutoff date and should set requirements people can actually meet. The platform lists rules on securing a livelihood, the ability to work, reliable prospects for children and a lawful residence permit. In the SSW's view, an unsuccessful asylum application must not lead to loss of liberty because those affected have committed no crime. It justifies the winter halt by saying returnees would otherwise be exposed to cold and snow.

The SSW wants to let municipalities voluntarily take in more refugees than their quota requires. Refugees should get a legal entitlement to easily accessible support and free access to health services.

Towns should be allowed to take in more refugees if they want to. Refugees should have a right to counseling and mental health help. They should be able to see a doctor. A health card should make this possible. The federal government should pay more for this.

The Landesaufnahmegesetz (State Reception Act) is to be amended for this purpose; the SSW also wants to use special state admission programs, especially for vulnerable groups. Migration counseling, trauma-informed support and psychological help should be within reach for everyone and receive reliable institutional funding from the state. Young people in youth welfare programs should be able to keep using these services after turning 18. The health card is meant to open the door to comprehensive care. The federal government should adequately fund the refugee work done by the state and municipalities.

The SSW wants to promote exchange between cultures and religions in the state. It plans an intercultural round table, a cultural initiative with immigrants and support for joint projects by religious communities.

The SSW wants people from different cultures to talk more with each other. Religions should also exchange views. There should be a round table for cultural clubs. Religious communities should run projects together.

At the intercultural round table, migrant cultural associations and selected cultural institutions are to develop joint initiatives several times a year. A cultural initiative is meant to launch cultural exchange with people who have immigrated. In interfaith dialogue, the needs of the religious communities should be the guide. The SSW wants to support respectful exchange across religious lines.