A Salute to a Migration Model: Merz's Admiration for Frederiksen's Approach, but Is It the Silver Bullet for Germany's Woes?
Ahead Gets Sought-After Design First, Yet Complexities Abound
By Hubertus Volmer
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German Chancellor Merz acknowledges Denmark as a "pioneer" in migration policy. The admiration has been around for a while, particularly in handling Russia-related matters. During the visit of Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen, Merz admits that Germany's situation is more nuanced.
Mette Frederiksen, beloved by German conservatives, once sparked Merz's admiration during the Munich Security Conference. His relief could extend to migration policy, with Merz urging then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz to learn from Frederiksen's long-established migration strategy. Indeed, Denmark's asylum numbers have consistently remained low over the years, despite the influx of refugees due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Politics Merz Rejects SPD's Russia Demands, Sticks to Government Unity Merz later extends an invitation to Frederiksen to Berlin, in spite of her recent visit with Scholz. Their discussions revolved around Trump's claim to Greenland, the threat from Russia, and the shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea.
"A Pioneer for Decades"
This time around, migration was also on the agenda. Merz articulated Denmark's influence on Germany's migration policies at the joint press conference with Frederiksen at the Chancellery. He credited Denmark for being a "role model" for years, especially the CDU party. "We are also collaborating on new and stricter asylum regulations within the EU." Precisely, they now refer to the new German government.
Frederiksen responded with praise, noting that an "early bird catches the worm." She appreciates observing "German leadership" moving towards a stronger Europe, a necessity in her eyes. Merz and Frederiksen share common grounds, she stated. Prioritizing Europe's protection from Russia is "top of the agenda."
Politics The Dilemma of Overpopulation: Many Well-educated Immigrants Consider Emigration As the second important issue, Frederiksen shared her concerns from citizens across Europe, including in Germany and Denmark. She takes pleasure in collaborating with the new German Chancellor to devise solutions that reduce the number of arrivals and ensure "effective returns." "If we want to preserve the social cohesion of our societies, we cannot welcome everyone who wishes to come to Europe."
Frederiksen's words resonate with Merz, symbolizing a model he can identify with. Denmark has long combined firmness and symbolism in its migration policy. The refugee shelters are referred to as "departure centers," despite migrants staying there for years.
It appears this is intentional: These facilities are meant to dissuade migrants, as stated by Danish Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek to "Der Stern" last year. The centers serve to convey the message: "You are not wanted. Accept that you have no future in this country."
The Challenges of a Nation Sharing Borders
Yet, Denmark's migration policy is not easily replicable in Germany - due to legal and practical reasons. Merz didn't elaborate on the differences in technicalities during the press conference with Frederiksen, perhaps saving those discussions for another time.
Politics The Toughest Asylum Policy in Europe: A Look at Denmark's Strategy Denmark's migration policy has its unique characteristics: first, its short border with Germany (around 70 kilometers) and its partial exemption from European laws with "opt-outs." These make Denmark more adaptable when implementing new policies, unlike other EU countries with longer and less negotiated borders. Moreover, Denmark's location requires refugees to pass through Germany on their way to Denmark, potentially influencing refugees' decisions.
Migration expert Raphael Bossong highlights the dilemma faced by the German government in an interview with ntv.de: Germany intends to put pressure on neighboring countries through border controls but also upholds the principle of complying with EU laws. This "Catch-22" is the situation the German government grapples with.
Merz did not address this predicament with Frederiksen, instead stating that he supports Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands' joint initiative calling for asylum procedures in third countries. He commended the previous federal government for moving in the right direction, though the numbers of asylum seekers and refugees are still far from ideal.
Source: ntv.de
Additional Insights:
- Denmark has stricter age requirements and integration prerequisites for foreign spouses than Germany, as illustrated in its 2002 family reunification policy.
- Denmark's employment levels among migrants have been lower compared to Germany, necessitating more stringent measures for economic integration.
- In the wake of shifting migration policies across Europe, some countries are advocating for reinterpreting the European Convention on Human Rights to facilitate policy changes.
Community policy is essential as Merz, in his admiration for Frederiksen's approach, urges the new German government to learn from Denmark's long-established migration strategy. politics on the other hand, plays a significant role in the discussions between Merz and Frederiksen, as they collaborate on new and stricter asylum regulations within the EU.
