German lawmakers urge EU to tighten visa rules for Russian tourists

Federal and European politicians from the CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens and FDP have called on the German government to lobby the EU Commission for stricter Schengen visa issuance to Russian citizens. They argue that the high number of visas – about half a million last year, mainly for holidays in France, Spain and Italy – poses a security risk and should be reduced to pressure Russia while still allowing opposition figures to leave the country. The EU Commission has indicated it will propose new visa restrictions for Russians in the coming year, responding to a protest note signed by eleven EU states over the surge in Russian tourist visas. Greens parliamentary leader Britta Haßelmann said the visas must be "significantly limited" and that Germany must also ensure safe exit routes for Russian dissidents. SPD deputy chair Siemtje Möller called the measures "reasonable" given the ongoing war, and Union spokesperson Jürgen Hardt described visa policy as a key tool for managing bilateral relations.