Migration Debate in Germany Heats Up as Merz Pushes Tougher Policies

Migration Debate in Germany Heats Up as Merz Pushes Tougher Policies

Migration debate in Germany has intensified ahead of the upcoming federal elections, with opposition leader Friedrich Merz proposing stricter immigration policies. The move comes amid heightened political tensions and criticism that he is aligning too closely with far-right rhetoric. His proposals, set to be presented in parliament this week, have sparked backlash from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition partners and other opposition figures.

Migration Becomes a Central Election Issue

With Germany heading to the polls on February 23, migration has emerged as one of the most pressing topics alongside economic concerns. The issue gained renewed attention following a recent knife attack in Aschaffenburg, where a rejected asylum seeker fatally stabbed a man and a two-year-old child. The incident has fueled calls for a more stringent migration policy, a stance that Merz, leader of the center-right CDU/CSU Union bloc, has taken up forcefully.

Polls currently place Merz’s Union bloc at around 30%, ahead of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which holds roughly 20% support. Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens are trailing further behind.

Merz’s Proposed Migration Measures

Merz has pledged a tougher stance on immigration, asserting that, if elected chancellor, his administration would enforce stricter border controls. Among his key proposals are:

• Permanent Border Controls: Authorities would be directed to turn back all attempts at illegal entry, including asylum seekers.
• Zero-Tolerance Deportation Policy: Individuals ordered to leave Germany would be immediately detained if found by police.
• Legislative Action: His party is set to introduce a series of parliamentary motions this week advocating these policies, despite concerns over potential backing from far-right parties.

Merz has declared that “compromises are no longer possible” on migration, signaling a hardline approach in contrast to the policies of the outgoing government.

Political Backlash

While Merz insists that his proposals reflect a mainstream conservative stance, opponents argue they push Germany closer to AfD’s controversial migration policies. His decision to proceed with parliamentary votes, regardless of potential support from AfD, has raised concerns that he is undermining the long-standing political “firewall” against the far right.

The SPD and Greens have strongly opposed the proposed measures, arguing that large-scale border turnbacks would violate both German and European Union laws. They maintain that the government has already implemented significant changes, including stricter deportation laws and temporary border controls.

Despite this, Merz claims Germany’s immigration policies have been ineffective for the past decade, citing incidents like the recent attacks in Mannheim, Solingen, and Magdeburg as evidence of systemic failures in asylum and deportation procedures.

Existing Migration Policies

In response to increasing public pressure, the government has already introduced several reforms to tighten immigration laws:

• Border Controls: Temporary border measures have been implemented to monitor entry more effectively.
• Deportation Rules: The government has eased legal restrictions to facilitate faster deportations.
• EU Migration Agreement: A new agreement aims to streamline asylum procedures and redistribute migrants within the EU.

Government figures argue that these steps have already led to a reduction in asylum applications, with 229,751 applications filed last year—a 30% decrease from the previous year. Additionally, deportations increased, with 18,384 removals recorded in the first 11 months of the year, compared to 16,430 in all of 2023.

Will Merz’s Strategy Pay Off?

Merz’s push for tougher migration laws is seen as an attempt to consolidate support ahead of the elections. However, whether this will strengthen his position remains uncertain. While his stance may appeal to conservative voters concerned about border security, it risks alienating centrist voters wary of any perceived association with far-right ideologies.

The upcoming parliamentary votes on these proposals will serve as a key test for Merz’s strategy—whether it will elevate his credibility as a leader capable of addressing migration challenges or reinforce divisions within Germany’s political landscape.