Austria has paused new asylum requests from Syrian nationals, citing recent shifts in Syria’s political situation. Chancellor Karl Nehammer made the announcement after Turkey-backed rebels captured Damascus, prompting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has been directed to review previously granted asylum cases and develop plans for deporting Syrian refugees. While details of this policy are still pending, the government has confirmed its intent to reassess Austria’s role in providing refuge.
The suspension also affects family reunification programs, which allow refugees to bring relatives to Austria. A total of 12,886 applications, including 1,146 tied to family reunifications, have been put on hold as part of the government’s reevaluation process.
Austria’s People’s Party, led by Nehammer, has moved toward stricter immigration policies amid pressure from the Freedom Party, a populist group that recently won the national elections. Despite their electoral success, Freedom Party leaders have been excluded from coalition negotiations, leaving some Austrians questioning the decision by President Alexander Van der Bellen to bypass them in favor of the People’s Party.
The decision marks a significant policy shift for Austria, which accepted many Syrian refugees during the migrant crisis of 2015 and 2016. With 4.3 million displaced Syrians now in Europe, including many in Austria, officials are taking a more restrictive approach to migration.
This move underscores growing concerns across Europe about managing migration as conditions in Syria evolve. Austrian leaders appear committed to addressing public sentiment while navigating the complexities of international asylum policies.
