Radical Changes in Immigration Law
The leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Merz, who is considered the frontrunner for the German chancellorship, has proposed sweeping changes to the country’s immigration laws. He intends to bring his proposals to parliament, even if it means relying on support from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The proposed measures include permanent border controls in Germany and denying entry to individuals attempting to enter the country illegally. Merz also insists on significantly increasing the number of deportations. However, opponents warn that such actions may contradict European asylum laws.
Trigger for Reform: Tragic Incident in Aschaffenburg
Merz’s initiative follows a recent incident in the Bavarian city of Aschaffenburg, where an Afghan asylum seeker—who was scheduled for deportation—carried out a knife attack, resulting in the deaths of two people. This event has reignited debates on security and migration, especially as the country approaches federal elections scheduled for February 23.
To amend the law, a two-thirds majority in parliament is required. Merz has not ruled out gathering votes from all interested parties, including AfD. This has sparked criticism from Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who stated that “the firewall against AfD must not crumble.”
Furthermore, Germany’s Protestant and Catholic churches issued a joint statement warning that relying on AfD votes could cause “serious damage to German democracy.”
Next Steps: Parliamentary Vote
Merz rejects accusations of collaborating with the far right, insisting that he is searching for “other majorities in parliament” and hoping for support from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens. However, the SPD has dismissed his proposals as incompatible with European law, while Green Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Merz of attempting to “break European law and build a fence around Germany.”
AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla stated that his party would support Merz’s migration plan, as it aligns with their hardline stance on immigration.
The German parliament is expected to vote on additional migration rule changes proposed by the CDU as early as Friday. If approved, these changes will become legally binding.
Germany is thus on the verge of significant shifts in its immigration policy, which could impact both its domestic and foreign policies in the coming years.
