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Germany issues entry ban to Austrian far-right activist Sellner

Radical Austrian nationalist Martin Sellner has been banned from entering Germany, it emerged on Tuesday, days after he was deported from Switzerland.

Published: 19 March 2024 18:09 CET

Martin Sellner, former spokesman of the far-right Identitarian movement, speaks to journalists in front of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna upon arrival at the so-called Akademikerball (Academics dance ball) organized by the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) on February 16, 2024.

Martin Sellner, former spokesman of the far-right Identitarian movement, speaks to journalists in front of the Hofburg Palace in Vienna upon arrival at the so-called Akademikerball (Academics dance ball) organized by the far-right Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) on February 16, 2024. Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP

Sellner, a leader of Austria’s white pride Identitarian Movement, posted a video of himself on X, formerly Twitter, reading out a letter he said was from the city of Potsdam.

A spokeswoman for the city authorities confirmed to AFP that an EU citizen had been served with a “ban on their freedom of movement in Germany”.

The person can no longer enter or stay in Germany “with immediate effect” and could be stopped by police or deported if they try to enter the country, the spokeswoman said, declining to name the individual for privacy reasons.

READ ALSO: Who is Austria’s far-right figurehead banned across Europe?

“We have to show that the state is not powerless and will use its legitimate means,” Mike Schubert, the mayor of Potsdam, said in a statement.

Sellner caused an uproar in Germany after allegedly discussing the Identitarian concept of “remigration” with members of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) at a meeting in Potsdam in November.

Reports of the meeting sparked a huge wave of protests against the AfD, with tens of thousands of Germans attending demonstrations across the country.

READ ALSO:

Swiss police said Sunday they had prevented a hundred-strong far-right gathering due to be addressed by Sellner, adding that he had been arrested and deported.

The Saturday meeting had been organised by the far-right Junge Tat group, known for its anti-immigration and anti-Islamic views.

The group is also a proponent of the far-right white nationalist Great Replacement conspiracy theory espoused by Sellner’s Identitarian Movement.

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EXPLAINED: Germany's plans to improve digital access to the labour market

Germany is known to lag behind many other nations when it comes to digital technology.

But the coalition government – made up of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and Free Democrats (FDP) – has taken steps forward to change this – at least when it comes to the job hunt.

READ ALSO: Germany unveils new plan to become more immigrant and digital friendly

This week, the Labour Ministry announced a new digitalisation strategy, which includes creating an app for people to claim long-term unemployment benefits (Bürgergeld) and to allow for more video consultations and digital access to residents and skilled workers from abroad looking to come to Germany.

What should we expect from the app?

The aim is to give German residents easier access to digital applications by 2030, with internal processes also set to be digitalised.

Under the plans, it will be possible to apply for so-called Citizen’s Income or Bürgergeld via an app on a smartphone.

As well as submit applications for the benefit, users will be able to make appointments and receive job offers on their phone.

The app will first be tested in selected job centres before being rolled out if successful.

Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) explained that digitalisation should make it easier for people in Germany to deal with authorities, while relieving the burden on employees and freeing them up for other tasks.

Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD)

Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) speaks in the Bundestag. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild | Britta Pedersen

The ministry will also turn to artificial intelligence (AI) tech. The AI is intended to speed up the processing of Bürgergeld applications and translate complicated texts from official letters into understandable language for recipients.

“We will simplify internal processes and use the potential of AI,” Labor Minister Hubertus Heil told German media outlet Table Media.

READ ALSO: What to know about Germany’s new digital healthcare law

More online and video consultations

Video consultations and improvements to electronic labour market admission for foreign skilled workers are also planned.

According to Heil, services that are currently only available in analogue form are to be made digital in future.

There are also plans for a national online portal for further vocational training with access to funding opportunities, counselling and further training offers.

Jobseekers from outside the EU to benefit

As Germany faces a severe worker shortage, and attracting talent from abroad has become a high priority for the government.

Heil said that in future, skilled foreign workers will be admitted to the German labour market more quickly through digital cooperation between the Federal Employment Agency, foreign missions and immigration authorities.

The same streamlining process will apply to the recognition of foreign qualifications, which is known to be a burdensome process currently.

READ ALSO: Could backlogs at Germany’s foreigners’ offices stifle skilled immigration?

The new strategy is to apply to the entire labour and social administration. It was drawn up by seven other authorities as well as the Ministry of Labour. According to Heil, the move is an important contribution to strengthening people’s trust in the welfare state.

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