CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has proposed significant revisions to migration policy and security measures following a knife attack by a rejected Afghan asylum seeker. His five-point plan aims to secure borders and address illegal immigration, while a secondary proposal introduces 27 immediate security measures. Merz seeks bipartisan support, distancing himself from the AfD, though his proposals face skepticism from the SPD and Greens, who view them as contrary to existing laws and values.
CDU Chancellor Candidate Merz Proposes Significant Changes to Migration Policy
In the lead-up to the election, CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has ignited a firestorm of debate with his recent announcement aimed at modifying migration policies and enhancing security measures. This initiative follows a tragic knife attack in Aschaffenburg, allegedly carried out by a rejected asylum seeker from Afghanistan. As discussions intensify, critics accuse Merz of aligning with the AfD’s asylum-critical stance, while Union representatives argue that the aim is to differentiate civic parties from the far-right.
Merz has reached out to the SPD and Greens, urging them to back his proposals. “None of us is looking to collaborate with the AfD,” he stated during a campaign event. “However, I will not hesitate to bring important issues to a vote in the Bundestag simply because the wrong parties might support them.” He continues to firmly reject the idea of a coalition with the AfD.
The recent attack has escalated migration issues to the forefront of the election campaign, prompting urgent discussions among party leaders.
Upcoming Plans for the Bundestag
The Union has prepared two proposals set to be presented in the Bundestag during the next plenary week. These documents, obtained by the ARD-Hauptstadtbüro, include a five-point plan aimed at securing borders and curbing illegal migration. The second proposal, titled “For a Change in Internal Security Policy,” outlines 27 immediate measures designed to bolster internal security and address illegal immigration.
These proposals are categorized as resolution proposals, signifying a political demand to the federal government rather than immediate legislative changes. Given the tight timelines and procedural requirements, actual legal amendments before the February 23 Bundestag elections are deemed highly unlikely.
In light of the Aschaffenburg incident, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) will provide a government statement addressing its implications. Merz has expressed disappointment, labeling Scholz’s response as inadequate. “It’s always the same rhetoric—expressions of sympathy for victims and families,” Merz criticized. “We need decisive action to solve these pressing issues, not just discussions.”
Details of the Five-Point Plan
The proposed five-point plan directly references the tragic events in Aschaffenburg as well as other incidents, such as the knife attack in Mannheim and the terrorist act in Solingen. The text asserts that Germany’s current asylum and immigration policies jeopardize public safety, claiming that recent strategies have failed to manage migration effectively or deter illegal entry. Specific points of concern are highlighted in the proposal.
There is uncertainty regarding the compatibility of these proposals with German and EU law. Migration law expert Daniel Thym has noted that current European regulations allow individuals to enter while their residency status is evaluated, suggesting that the CDU’s efforts to invoke an exception may face legal challenges.
The Union’s draft emphasizes that addressing illegal migration removes the basis for populist rhetoric. They argue that the AfD exploits public fears stemming from illegal immigration to fuel xenophobia, which ultimately threatens Germany’s stability and prosperity.
Immediate Security Measures and Political Reactions
The second proposal presents 27 immediate measures aimed at enhancing internal security. This comprehensive approach includes controversial surveillance demands alongside more broadly accepted ideas. While some proposals overlap with the earlier plan, others, such as those concerning emergency personnel protection and Frontex enhancements, expand on existing discussions.
However, the likelihood of these proposals gaining traction in the Bundestag seems slim. The FDP is expected to offer some level of support, yet opposition from the SPD and Greens is anticipated. Chancellor Scholz has publicly criticized Merz’s plans as being contrary to the Basic Law and European treaties, while SPD leader Saskia Esken described them as an “attempt at blackmail.”
Green chancellor candidate Robert Habeck has called for unity among democratic parties, emphasizing that collaboration should not mean compromising on fundamental values. “We must not resort to extreme measures or align with far-right ideologies,” he asserted.
The AfD’s leadership appears divided on the implications of the CDU’s proposals. While Alice Weidel noted that the “firewall has fallen,” suggesting a willingness to collaborate, Tino Chrupalla insisted that true collaboration would only occur when other factions openly support their proposals.
FDP leader Christian Lindner has advocated for a reevaluation of migration policy, signaling a need for a different approach amidst the unfolding political landscape.