Austria’s government has suspended asylum applications from Syrians, citing the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power. Assad fled to Russia after Turkey-backed forces gained control of Damascus. This marks a significant turning point in Austria’s approach to refugees.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer has instructed Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to reassess past asylum grants and create a strategy for deportations. Specific plans have not been outlined, but the government has confirmed its commitment to stricter migration policies.
Applications related to family reunification, which allow refugees to bring relatives to Austria, are also affected. More than 12,800 cases are currently paused, including over 1,100 tied to family reunification programs. This freeze underscores Austria’s focus on reevaluating its migration framework.
The People’s Party, led by Nehammer, has embraced a harder line on immigration as it faces pressure from the Freedom Party, which secured the most votes in Austria’s recent elections. Despite this victory, the Freedom Party has been excluded from coalition talks, raising concerns about President Alexander Van der Bellen’s decision to overlook the election winner.
Austria’s response to the Syrian refugee crisis began during the migrant waves of 2015 and 2016. Now, with millions of Syrians displaced across Europe, including many in Austria, the government is revising its policies to align with the changing situation in Syria.
This move highlights a broader trend across Europe, where governments are reevaluating their approach to migration in light of new developments in conflict zones.
