Merkel urges quicker deportation of rejected asylum seekers

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has declared plans to hasten the expulsion of rejected asylum seekers after the Tunisian suspect in Berlin’s deadly truck attack on Christmas shoppers was killed by police in Italy.

Merkel announced the plan during a phone conversation with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi on Friday, saying her government intended to boost the number of refugee deportations from her country as a measure to improve security.

“I told the Tunisian president that we have to significantly speed up the deportation process and increase the number of people sent back,” Merkel added.

Earlier this week, 12 people were killed and 48 others wounded in the terror attack at a Christmas market in Berlin, which saw a 40-ton truck running into a crowd.

Merkel’s remarks came after Italian police shot dead the main suspect, Anis Amri, when he drew a gun on security officers during a routine ID check.

The German leader further said, “We have also made progress this year on the very important issue of deporting Tunisian citizens who have no right to stay in Germany.”

The development came as a new survey in Germany indicated that support for the country’s anti-refugee AfD party surged following the Berlin truck attack.

SS