Sachsen-Anhalt’s delayed deportation detention centre faces soaring costs and postponed opening
The planned deportation detention facility in Volkstedt will not be ready until late 2027, with construction delays and high expenses pushing the project far beyond its original schedule.
After the September 6 state election, the CDU-SPD-FDP alliance lost its majority, yet the deportation detention project in Volkstedt remains a priority. Originally slated for completion by the end of 2026, the finance ministry in Magdeburg has shifted the deadline to June 2027, with actual operation not expected until the end of that year. Construction has been hampered by adverse weather, renewed tender examinations and underperformance by building firms, resulting in only the basic structure and perimeter wall being finished.
The cost estimate for the Volkstedt site is markedly higher than the previously considered Dessau-Roßlau location and also surpasses the spending for the adjacent prison expansion, which adds new housing units and refurbishes existing facilities. Meanwhile, the state’s deportation success rate remains low, with just over 30 % of planned removals carried out this year, highlighting the limited impact of the new facility.
Why it matters
The delay and high cost of the detention centre raise questions about the effectiveness of the state’s migration policy and fiscal priorities.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Heidenau council debates ban on new Stolpersteine in favor of cemetery memorial
- Sep 27 The council has scheduled a vote on the proposed ban.
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