What do German politicians want for Christmas? More migrants

Some 243 members of the German Bundestag have signed a letter demanding the acceleration of the transfer of migrants from Greek camps to Germany and to mainland Europe. In a letter signed by all major parties except the Alternative for Germany (AfD), German MPs demanded that the federal government should answer the call from those states and municipalities that have agreed to accept more migrants and refugees.

They have also demanded that the German government coalition should press for an EU-wide solution for the situation of those in refugee camps in order to “meet human rights standards”.

The situation in Greek camps has become critical after some migrants have burned down their own accommodations with the aim of forcing authorities' hands to transfer them to European countries of their choice. In September, the camp in Moira has been completely destroyed by fires, followed by a similar case in a refugee camp in Samos. Five migrants of Afghan origin have been arrested and charged with arson in connection with the fires.

The signatories of the Christmas roll call had also called on Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) to be instrumental in introducing the German model EU-wide.

“We are aware that only a common European asylum system characterized by genuine European solidarity can solve the asylum and migration issue in the long term. However, this European solution is still not in sight," reads the letter. Yet, some of those involved in the European debate on migration object that the word "solidarity" or "common European asylum system" in the above context are only a by-word for a centralized European migration policy that would take away the right to determine immigration policy on a nation-state level, and purports to replace it with decisions made by European institutions.