Election campaign: Union presents proposals for stricter migration policy

Now things are getting concrete: According to the five-point plan for a turnaround in migration policy presented by Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group has concretized the demands in two draft proposals for the Bundestag. “The current asylum and immigration policy endangers the security of citizens and the trust of the entire society in the state,” it says in a paper. The politics of the past few years have failed to regain and maintain control over migration. The drafts are available to the German Press Agency, and “Bild” also reported.

“Five points for secure borders and an end to illegal migration,” says a two-page paper that implements Merz’s announcements. The Union calls for permanent border controls and the rejection of all attempts at illegal entry without exception. There is a de facto entry ban for people who do not have valid entry documents and who do not fall under the European freedom of movement. “They are consistently rejected at the border. This applies regardless of whether they express a request for protection or not. They are already safe from persecution in our European neighboring states, so there is no need to enter Germany,” says the draft application.

One of the five points that should be implemented immediately is that people who are clearly obliged to leave the country “will be taken into immediate custody”. The federal states should also receive more support in enforcing the obligation to leave the country. In addition, the right of residence for criminals and so-called dangerous people should be tightened.

Attack in Aschaffenburg reignited the migration debate

The knife attack in Aschaffenburg brought the migration debate in Germany into focus around a month before the federal election. In Aschaffenburg on Wednesday, a two-year-old boy and a man were killed and two other people were seriously injured. A 28-year-old Afghan man who was required to leave the country was arrested as the perpetrator. The draft application speaks of a “new dimension of violence” that is increasingly shaking Germany. Reference is also made to the attacks in Mannheim, Solingen and Magdeburg.

Priority of national law

The Union faction sees it as the duty of Germany and the federal government to apply national law with priority if European regulations do not work. The Union is relying on European treaties for exceptional emergencies and is also aiming to deprive “populists of their political basis” by combating illegal migration.

The Union also expressly refers to the AfD here. “The AfD is using problems, worries and fears caused by mass illegal migration to stir up xenophobia and spread conspiracy theories. It wants Germany to leave the EU and the euro and instead turn to Putin’s Eurasian Economic Union. All of that endangers Germany’s stability, security and prosperity. That’s why this party is not a partner, but our political opponent,” says the two-page paper.

27 further points to strengthen internal security

In a second draft application, the Union lists further demands for a “policy change in internal security”. 27 points are required, such as minimum storage periods for IP addresses, more technical powers for investigators, for example for electronic facial recognition, improved data exchange between the security authorities, a strengthening of the intelligence services and tougher penalties for attacks on police officers, rescue workers and helpers. In view of the increasing violence, dangerous bodily harm using a weapon or knife should in future be punished as a crime.

The Union is also planning federal exit centers and also wants to deport people to Afghanistan and Syria. Family reunification for those entitled to subsidiary protection should be ended. Subsidiary protection applies if neither refugee protection nor the right to asylum are granted, but those affected are at risk of serious harm in their country of origin. The Union wants to reverse the possibilities for a so-called lane change from irregular to regular migration. Further countries should be declared safe countries of origin. In the case of serious crimes, dual nationals should be able to have their German citizenship revoked.

AfD does not receive applications in advance

Merz wants to submit the proposals to the Bundestag in the upcoming plenary week. The CDU and Union faction leader had announced that he would make the applications available to the SPD, Greens and FDP in advance. The AfD doesn’t get it. “The former traffic light factions receive the texts from us with the express request to talk about it over the weekend and to try to make a joint decision here next week,” said the Union faction leader of the “Heilbronner Stimme” – Media group in Künzelsau in Baden-Württemberg said.

The CDU leader had also already announced that if he were elected chancellor, he would instruct the Federal Ministry of the Interior on his first day in office to permanently control all German borders and reject all attempts at illegal entry.

Merz’s ideas had already met with strong opposition from the SPD and the Greens as possible coalition partners. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), who wants to make a government statement on Wednesday on the consequences of the latest knife attack, said at several election events on Saturday that Merz’s plans were incompatible with the Basic Law and European treaties. SPD leader Saskia Esken accused Merz of an “attempt at blackmail”.

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the Editorial Network Germany (RND): “Only with the AfD would there be majorities for his plans.” The SPD politician warned: “If Mr. Merz sets out on a national wrong path, then the CDU has lost all compass.” Scholz also warned in Wiesbaden: “There must be no cooperation with extreme right-wing parties in Germany, at any time and nowhere.” Merz emphasized in the “Bild” newspaper: “There will be no cooperation with the AfD. Everyone can rely on that.”