Debate after Aschaffenburg: Merz wants to enforce asylum restrictions

After the knife attack in Aschaffenburg, Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz promises far-reaching tightening of asylum laws in the event of a takeover of government. “The measure is finally full,” said the CDU leader in Berlin. As a consequence, he called for, among other things, significantly more deportations and wants to enforce a “de facto entry ban” for unauthorized persons at all borders. Merz made it clear that these were conditions for possible coalition partners. Signals came from the FDP and AfD to work with the Union for a migration turnaround.

Merz said: “We are faced with the shambles of an asylum and immigration policy that has been misguided in Germany for ten years.” He refuses to acknowledge that actions like those in Mannheim, Solingen and Magdeburg should be “the new normal.” People need to feel safe.

Chancellor calls for deportations to be implemented

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) pointed out the course his government had already taken to make deportations easier and criticized failures in implementation. “There are obviously enforcement deficits, especially in this case among the Bavarian authorities, which are a big problem,” said Scholz in Erfurt. “That’s why it has to stop now that not everyone is doing everything they can to ensure that those who can’t stay here aren’t brought back here.”

But it’s not just about enforcement deficits. “There are laws in the German Bundestag that can also be passed before the federal election. I, for one, am in favor of it,” said Scholz. There are also security laws that failed in the Federal Council due to the CDU/CSU. “I say I want these laws to become something.” There is no need for people who come along with cheap speeches. “Action must follow.”

In Aschaffenburg, a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man were killed and three people were seriously injured. A 28-year-old with Afghan nationality who was arrested is suspected. According to Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU), he was obliged to leave the country.

Rejections of all those entering the country illegally

Merz announced that if he were elected chancellor, he would instruct the Interior Ministry on his first day in office to permanently control all borders and reject all illegal entries. This also applies to people who are entitled to protection. “There will be a de facto entry ban into the Federal Republic of Germany for everyone who does not have valid entry documents or who makes use of European freedom of movement.”

The EU asylum rules are clearly dysfunctional. “Germany must therefore exercise its right to the primacy of national law,” said Merz. In the Schengen area, border controls can be ordered for a limited period of time. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) has already implemented this for all land borders and announced that she wants to extend it beyond March 2025.

Skepticism among the Greens and the SPD

Green parliamentary group leader Irene Mihalic said on the TV channel Welt about an entry ban: “Friedrich Merz knows very well that what he is demanding is incompatible with European law and also with the applicable constitutional law.” Green Party candidate for chancellor Robert Habeck said: “Anything that advances security in the country and is compliant with European law and based on our Basic Law is a good proposal.” Some suggestions that he heard from Merz did not stand up to objective scrutiny.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) said that it was necessary to clarify whether what Merz was announcing was permissible under European law. “I would say no.” If promises are not kept, trust is destroyed. Faeser emphasized that the government had “massively tightened” laws to expel violent criminals and increase deportations.

Union for a stronger role for the federal government

Merz also demanded that the federal police also be able to apply for arrest warrants. Those required to leave the country who are apprehended should not be released, but would have to be taken into custody or custody and deported as quickly as possible. As in Aschaffenburg, we are dealing with a group of perpetrators “who are obviously running around at large in Germany in large numbers,” said Merz. We want to end this situation.

The CDU leader demanded that the federal government no longer leave deportations to the states alone. Deportations and returns must “take place every day” and the number must finally become larger than the number of people still entering the country illegally every day. Every criminal and dangerous person who is required to leave the country must be able to be placed in indefinite detention when leaving the country.

Merz: Compromises are no longer possible

Merz made it clear that the demanded consequences should be the conditions for a coalition government under his leadership. “I don’t care who follows this path politically,” said Merz. “I’m just saying: I won’t go to anyone else.” Anyone who wants to follow the path with him must follow these points. “Compromises are no longer possible on these issues.” CSU leader Markus Söder said that “zero tolerance, zero compromise” would be the guiding principle of a Union-led government’s migration policy.

FDP leader Christian Lindner said: “Merz is announcing a radical change of course.” But he won’t be able to do this with red or green. “For the FDP, a new migration policy is the condition for any participation in government.” AfD leader Alice Weidel renewed her call for the Union to work with her party. She called for a Bundestag vote next week on “closing the borders and turning back illegal immigrants.” The CDU and CSU would have to show their colors. Merz has repeatedly categorically ruled out any cooperation with the AfD.