A feeble start for Merz: Tusk lays into him over asylum policy
- By Veit Medick
- 2 Min
Criticism of Chancellor Merz's Asylum Policy during Donald Tusk's visit to Poland - Donald Tusk advocates for a speech from Angela Merkel regarding asylum during her visit to Poland
Friedrich Merz kicked off his foreign tour with a visit to Poland, aiming to boost German-Polish relations and shower praises upon Poland as a "solid neighbor." However, his meeting with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk later that evening was filled with tense undercurrents. The cause for discomfort: Germany's latest asylum policy.
Just before Merz's arrival in Warsaw, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced the new direction: tougher border controls, more expulsions, even for those seeking asylum. Tusk made his feelings on this matter clear to the new Chancellor in Warsaw: not exactly warm. Migration is a European issue, Tusk argued, not a national one. "I expect unwavering support from the German government in safeguarding our external borders," Tusk declared. "No one may dump migrant groups on Poland."
Border Clashes: Tusk Slams Merz
Countries have the inherent right to shield themselves, Tusk opined. But border controls? He viewed them as a ticking time bomb. "Any such initiatives would lead to major complications," Tusk warned. He highlighted commuters working in Germany and vice versa as an example. "I don't want to rain on our parade," Tusk said, but for Poland, it's abundantly clear: "The last thing we need is excessive controls." European solutions are the key. "The survival of Schengen is at stake," Tusk fired back, delivering a sharp rebuke to the newly minted German leader.
It's important to note that Poland happens to be in the midst of a presidential election race, making Tusk's firm demeanor an effective campaign tool. Nonetheless, Tusk's firm stance is notable and unlikely to have sat well with Merz. In his inaugural voyage, he is given a lesson in the complexity of asylum policy.
A wake-up call for the Chancellor on his first foreign excursion?
The coalition has pledged to implement the new asylum program "jointly" with European neighbors. However, these partners are far from enthused. Merz reiterated his stance that he had briefed Tusk on the rapid rollout of these measures before claiming the chancellorship. Evidently, his call did little to allay Tusk's concerns.
"We aim to collaborate with our European partners in refining migration policy," Merz insisted. "And we will perform border checks in a manner that appeases our neighbors." He had spoken to Interior Minister Dobrindt during his journey to Tusk, instructing him to liaise with the European neighbors. Illicit migration is not Germany's sole responsibility, Merz argued.
Merz's first foreign outing, therefore, has been a tumultuous affair with regards to asylum policy. Even in Paris, he faced a cool reception for his migration policy. President Emmanuel Macron, while avoiding blatant criticism, also warned: "The Schengen system must work."
- Despite praising Poland as a "solid neighbor," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced strong rebukes from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk over Germany's latest asylum policy during a meeting in Warsaw.
- Tusk argued that migration is a European issue, not a national one, and emphasized the need for unwavering support from the German government in safeguarding European borders.
- Tusk warned that tougher border controls, such as those recently announced by Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, could lead to major complications, specifically citing commuters working in Germany and vice versa.
- The Polish Prime Minister also highlighted the survival of the Schengen agreement as being at stake with such policies.
- As Poland is in the midst of a presidential election race, Tusk's stance on asylum policy could be an effective campaign tool.
- Merz acknowledged the need for collaboration with European partners in refining migration policy, but his attempt to allay concerns over border checks and asylum policy received a cool reception in Paris as well.
- In response to Tusk's criticism, Merz argued that illicit migration is not Germany's sole responsibility and that he had instructed Interior Minister Dobrindt to liaise with European neighbors in implementing the new asylum program.
