Unyielding on Borders: Friedrich Merz Disregards Court Ruling on Asylum Seekers
Friedrich Merz persists in denying entry to asylum seekers at the borderline. - Friedrich Merz advocates for maintaining border controls to prevent asylum seekers from entering the country.
In a defiant stance, Friedrich Merz refuses to back down on his policy of turning away asylum seekers at the German border, despite a court ruling deeming it illegal in a specific case. The Berlin Administrative Court's decision may have narrowed the scope, but Merz remains adamant, asserting, "We can still carry out turn-backs."
Merz's Unwavering Resolve - Within European Law
Merz affirms, "We will uphold this within existing European law." His primary concern is ensuring public safety, order, and prevention of overstretching cities and municipalities. Until Europe's external borders experience significant improvement, "we will maintain controls at the internal borders."
May 7 saw Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt order an intensification of border controls and the turn-back of asylum seekers, with exceptions for children, pregnant women, and others. However, the Berlin Administrative Court, in a ruling on June 3, 2025, declared the turn-back of three Somalis unlawful. This decision came about since there was no confirmation regarding the EU country responsible for processing the applicants' asylum applications.
Court Clash and Merz's Decision
- Berlin Administrative Court Decision: The court determined that Germany's justification under EU law for rejecting asylum seekers was insufficient, citing the high threshold for suspending EU law due to threats to public order[1][2].
- Government Response: In response, Chancellor Merz and Interior Minister Dobrindt vowed to continue with their current practices, viewing the ruling as a singular decision[1].
European Landscape
- European Asylum Policy: Countries such as Poland and the Netherlands have already imposed restrictions on asylum seekers. However, Germany's suspension of Dublin transfer hearings without EU consultation sets it apart[1].
- Legal Standoff: The court's ruling underscores the tension between national migration policies and EU asylum rules. Yet, the ruling underscores that asylum seekers cannot be turned back at the border if they've already submitted an application[2].
Future Repercussions
- Political and Legal Consequences: The conflict between Germany's policy and the court ruling demands that the government align with EU law. The ongoing issue could face further legal challenges and may influence broader European migration policies[3].
- Political Strain: Merz's stance is partially influenced by political pressures from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which advocates stricter immigration policies[2].
In the midst of this ongoing court clash, Merz maintains that Germany will uphold its asylum policies within the confines of European Union law, despite the Berlin Administrative Court's decision deeming the turn-back of asylum seekers unlawful in specific cases. This situation, marked by political strife and legal standoffs, might provoke further challenges to European migration policies and could potentially strain relations between member states and the institution of the European Union, particularly during policy-and-legislation discussions related to general-news items such as this.
