Legal dispute delays payment card: fear of electoral problems in East Germany

Introduction before Eastern elections uncertain: Payment card for refugees is postponed | politics

The introduction of a nationwide payment card for refugees in Germany delayed due to an unexpected legal dispute. This could have a significant impact on the upcoming state elections in the eastern German states.

The idea behind the payment card is to prevent financial transfers to people smugglers and to the refugees' countries of origin. A joint project by the CDU, SPD, FDP, Left and Greens was intended to help the state combat illegal migration. However, the political timetable is now in danger.

Important million-dollar contract stalled

The Hamburg service provider Dataport is managing the tendering process on behalf of the federal states. However, the loss of a provider in the selection process led to legal action against the planned tendering guidelines. Karen Hoffmann, spokeswoman for Dataport, told BILD that the contract award planned for July 15, 2024 could now not be made. The review procedure before the Baden-Württemberg Procurement Chamber has not yet been completed, which means that the entire process is dragging on.

According to BILD information, a review process can be completed in a shorter time, but it could also take up to five weeks or longer. This means that the final provider could be announced by the end of August at the latest, making it impossible to introduce the payment card before the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, which take place on September 1st. It could also be too late for the upcoming election in Brandenburg on September 22nd.

Political relevance before the elections

The delay is politically extremely inconvenient. The introduction of the payment card was intended to send a key signal in East Germany to demonstrate the parties' commitment to fighting illegal migration. This measure was supported across party lines and its necessity was undisputed, even among the Greens and the Left. However, as the date has been postponed for legal reasons, this could affect the election results in the regions mentioned.

In several federal states, the information about the delay does not seem to have gotten through yet, or it is causing resentment. Despite the fact that review procedures are a common legal process, this legal dispute comes at a very inopportune time, which angers both politicians and taxpayers.

Overall, it remains to be seen to what extent this development will influence the political landscape in the upcoming elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg. A later launch of the payment card could call into question voters' trust in the government's ability to act.

It is now up to the responsible authorities to resolve the legal dispute as quickly as possible and to introduce the payment card as soon as possible in order to be able to implement the planned measures promptly.