European Migration Hardliners Gathering in Brussels, Attendance by German Politician Merz Confirmed
New and Tougher Stance on Immigration from Germany's Chancellor
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has shown a firm take on immigration matters, with recent government actions and policy shifts portraying a hardline stance. This new approach to immigration has been executed through significant tightening of immigration rules and restrictions, as the German government grapples with the growing influence of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Merz's latest move in this direction saw his participation in a meeting of EU immigration hawks in Brussels, a first for a German leader attending such a gathering. According to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, this pressure group has been working to reinforce the European Union's migration policy.
Co-organized by Italy, Denmark, and The Netherlands, the immigration talks in Brussels were attended by more than a dozen of the bloc's leaders, with European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen also in attendance. The gathering has provided a platform for immigration hardliners to push for new rules aimed at reducing arrivals and boosting deportations.
Reflecting growing far-right influence, Germany's conservative-led government has been vocal about cracking down on irregular immigration. Notably, key policy changes have included terminating the fast-track citizenship path and restricting family reunification rights for persons under subsidiary protection. This restriction is expected to impact roughly 380,000 people, as they would be unable to bring spouses or children to Germany for two years [1][5].
This approach is seen as an effort to minimize the "pull factors" driving irregular migration and to alleviate the strain on social services, housing, and education caused by a surge in migration numbers. Merz's attempts to roll out effective border control measures, even facing legal challenges from Berlin courts regarding the unlawfulness of turning back asylum seekers at the border, further underscore his pursuit of a hawkish immigration policy [2][4].
In alignment with broader European conservative efforts to control migration flows and maintain control over Germany's immigration system, Merz's engagement with EU immigration hawks signals a commitment to the stricter migration policies at the European level [4]. As Germany confronts the challenges posed by the rise of far-right groups, a shift towards more conservative and conservative-populist migration policies is evident.
[1] Tightening immigration rules in Germany: What you need to know[2] Berlin court rules turning back asylum seekers at the border unlawful[4] Merz's immigration stance and EU immigration hawks align[5] Subsidiary protection restrictions and their impact on family reunification
- The German government's new approach to immigration, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, involves the enactment of stricter policies, such as tightening immigration rules and restrictions, to address the increasing influence of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
- Merz's action to address immigration has extended beyond Germany, as he participated in a meeting of EU immigration hawks in Brussels, with the aim of reinforcing the European Union's migration policy.
- The gathering in Brussels featured discussions on new rules aimed at reducing immigrant arrivals, boosting deportations, and minimizing "pull factors" driving irregular migration.
- In addition to border control measures, Germany's conservative-led government has implemented key policy changes, like terminating the fast-track citizenship path and restricting family reunification rights for persons under subsidiary protection, impacting approximately 380,000 people.
