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Christian Democratic Union (CDU) politician Jens Spahn said sending back people who are not 'genuine' refugees would be the most "humane" option. The deputy finance minister said: "Those who are saved from the Mediterranean, those coming from North Africa, very often aren't refugees. "They are migrants coming here for because they want to escape poverty, which I understand – but this is not a reason to seek asylum."

Mr Sphan went on to say Germany should take these migrants back "to the coast which they came from". This hard-line approach would stop economic migrants making the precarious journey across the Mediterranean, he said. He added: "Of course we need agreements with these countries for this so that they are treated well, that there will be fair proceedings.

GETTY Angela Merkel is under pressure to deport economic migrants from Germany

Nobody would attempt this journey any more Jens Spahn

"But this way we would stop the dying on the Mediterranean. "Nobody would attempt this journey any more. "There wouldn't be any more dead people, just like it has been done in the Aegean. And I believe this is very humane."

GETTY Jens Spahn wants her to send back people who are not 'genuine' refugees

Mrs Merkel, who has come under widespread criticism for her open-door refugee policy, was re-elected chairwoman of the CDU yesterday. In an astonishing speech at the party's annual conference, the Chancellor pledged to ban the burka if elected for a fourth term next year. In a pitch to win over disillusioned CDU voters, Mrs Merkel said: "The full covering is not permissible and should be banned."

Angela Merkel in pictures Tue, August 8, 2017 Angela Merkel has served as German Chancellor since 2005 and Leader of the Christian Democratic Union since 2000. We take a look at her political career in pictures. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 83 Angela Merkel through the years

She also pledged that the law of the land stood above "any honour codes or Sharia". The speech came as tensions continue to rise following the brutal rape and murder of a 19-year-old medical student last month. Maria Ladenburger, the daughter of a high-ranking EU official, was returning from a party in the city of Freiburg when she was assaulted on a cycle path.

GETTY Mrs Merkel has come under widespread criticism for her refugee policy