WIEN, Austria (AA) – Austrian parliament passed a new law Wednesday allowing police to detain, arrest and deport refugees.
A total of 98 deputies of the coalition’s Social Democrats and Center-right conservatives voted in favor for the new law, while 67 lawmakers voted against the law, which is designed to make refugees face more difficulties in entering the country and seek asylum.
The new law also enables the government to declare a state of emergency if refugee numbers threaten public order or overwhelm public institutions.
According to the law, the detention period of refugees, which previously was just five days, would now be increased to 14 days.
Also, the law allows Austrian police to carry out temporary border controls.
Earlier Wednesday, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi criticized Austria for its new measures along the Italian-Austria border.
In a statement on his blog “enews”, Renzi said the idea of closing the border for refugees was against European laws and values. “The idea of closing the Brennero border gate is unashamedly against the European history, mentality and future,” he said.
On Sunday, Austria’s new Minister of Interior Wolfgang Sobotka had urged Italy to take more measures to stem the flow of refugees along its borders.
