In Berlin, Germany’s parliament is preparing for a vote on Friday regarding an opposition proposal aimed at instituting stricter migration regulations. This legislation has garnered support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, making it potentially the first of its kind in the current political landscape. The move has reignited discussions on the influence of far-right politics in the lead-up to the upcoming election on February 23.
Friedrich Merz, the leader of the opposition, has prominently featured a push for a more stringent immigration policy in his electoral agenda, particularly following a recent tragic knife attack perpetrated by an individual whose asylum application was denied. This incident has intensified the public discourse around migration and safety.
Merz’s approach has raised concerns among political adversaries, who accuse him of undermining the traditional barriers that mainstream parties have posed against the far-right AfD. Despite these allegations, he maintains that his stance remains unchanged and that he does not intend to collaborate with AfD members.
In a recent parliamentary session on Wednesday, Merz proposed a nonbinding motion to increase the number of migrants turned back at Germany’s borders. He insists that urgent decisions must be made regardless of party affiliations or endorsements. This motion was narrowly passed with the backing of AfD, inciting a rare public disapproval from Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor and long-time leader of Merz’s own party.
The spotlight is set on a piece of legislation initiated by Merz’s center-right Union bloc, which is slated to be voted on Friday. This bill aims to put an end to family reunification for migrants who hold a protection status that does not equate to full asylum. Additionally, it seeks to enhance the federal police’s authority to conduct deportations. The center-left governing coalition has expressed clear opposition to this “influx limitation bill,” while a variety of opposition parties, including AfD, support it.
The path to enactment appears precarious, as the legislation would require approval from the upper house of parliament, which represents Germany’s 16 states. This level of endorsement seems unlikely at this juncture.
This political maneuvering has deepened the rift between Merz’s bloc and the center-left Social Democrats led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with their coalition partners, the Greens. These dynamics are crucial as they shape the potential for future governing coalitions post-election.
Recent polls indicate that Merz’s Union holds approximately 30% of voter support, with AfD trailing at around 20%. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats and Greens are positioned further back in the race.
Critics from the center-left have accused Merz of fracturing the established political consensus, which has historically distanced itself from the AfD, a party that first gained parliamentary presence in 2017. Scholz has openly questioned Merz’s reliability, implying that he may now be open to forming an alliance with AfD, a claim Merz vehemently denies.
Merz continues to assert that his goal is to align with majorities within the political center, yet the center-left parties highlight his firm stance against concessions on his immigration proposals.
