Germany will no longer allow refugees to pick which European countries should host them, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Sunday, essentially reversing a measure that has sent record numbers of asylum-seekers into the country.

The asylum-seekers must understand that "they cannot chose the states where they are seeking protection," he told reporters. Under EU rules, the first country of entry is required to deal with the asylum-seeker's request for protection. But Germany had earlier in practice waived the rule for Syrian refugees.