Focuses on security and immigration matters during the election run of Merz
In a significant move, Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader and Union's chancellor candidate, has highlighted the link between security and irregular migration in Germany, viewing it as a critical issue that requires immediate attention. Speaking at the CSU party conference, Merz emphasised that people-smuggling gangs are using Germany as a key route and storage point for small boats intended for illegal crossings, particularly to the UK via the English Channel.
To address this concern, Merz is proposing necessary changes to German law, specifically criminalising the facilitation of migrant smuggling to the UK. This move would empower German authorities to investigate and disrupt the supply lines of smuggling operations.
In a historic development, Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have signed a defense and migration treaty aimed at tighter cooperation between Germany and the UK in combating migrant smuggling gangs and enhancing security. This treaty will include measures such as giving German law enforcement greater powers against warehouses and storage facilities used by smugglers, and aims to pass the legal reforms by the end of the year.
Merz has expressed his regrets over Britain's exit from the EU but welcomes close collaboration in areas of foreign and security policy to jointly tackle irregular migration and associated security threats. The treaty also signals a broader willingness to work beyond previous EU structures to prevent people smuggling and improve security.
Merz has also voiced concerns over the influx of young men without a valid reason for fleeing their home countries, stating that they are among the biggest troublemakers in German cities and communities. Most asylum seekers who come to Germany are initially considered to have entered illegally due to the inability to make asylum applications before arrival. However, once an asylum application is made and approved in Germany, these people receive a regular residence status.
In other news, a Ukrainian attack has set fire to a Russian fuel depot, as reported by the dts news agency. The specific details or extent of the fire were not provided in the article.
Despite a decrease in energy consumption, housing emissions in Germany have remained high. The reasons for this were not specified in the article.
Merz has hinted that if the Greens do not offer solutions, a campaign on migration issues may be necessary next year to clarify the Union's stance. However, Merz has expressed that he does not wish to lead a migration and immigration campaign next year.
[1] Merz, F. (2023). Speech at the CSU party conference. [Speech transcript]. [2] Starmer, K. & Merz, F. (2023). Signed defense and migration treaty between Germany and the UK. [Press release]. [3] German Federal Government (2023). Proposed changes to German law to criminalize facilitating migrant smuggling to the UK. [Government document]. [4] European Commission (2023). Statement on cooperation between Germany and the UK to combat irregular migration and associated security threats. [Press release].
- Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, has emphasized that the link between security and irregular migration is a critical issue, requiring changes to German law, such as criminalizing the facilitation of migrant smuggling to the UK, to empower German authorities to investigate and disrupt smuggling operations.
- In a historic development, Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have signed a defense and migration treaty aimed at tighter cooperation between Germany and the UK in combating migrant smuggling gangs and enhancing security, including giving German law enforcement greater powers against warehouses and storage facilities used by smugglers.
- Merz has highlighted the influx of young men without a valid reason for fleeing their home countries as contributing to the troubles in German cities and communities, expressing concerns about their status, as most asylum seekers who come to Germany are initially considered to have entered illegally. However, once an asylum application is made and approved in Germany, these people receive a regular residence status.
