A Rocky Start: Merz and Dobrindt's 100-Day Immigration Turmoil - Not an Option
A Rough Introduction
Migration lasting a hundred days is not a feasible solution.
The new federal government, helmed by Friedrich Merz, hasn't exactly set the right impression – their choppy start appears set to continue. This predicament largely stems from Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who's under the gun to deliver due to Merz's election promise of addressing immigration policy promptly. On day one, Merz jetted off to Paris and then Warsaw, inciting immediate criticism from Prime Minister Donald Tusk regarding plans for border repatriation of asylum seekers.
The Domestic Front
Back at home, Dobrindt, who's been dubbed the "Law-and-Order Minister" by his boss Markus Söder, is taking matters into his hands. As for the "order" part, though … well, as the English phrase "order" can sometimes mean "instruction," there's been plenty of that from the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
The Controversial Action Plan
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Changes are afoot, starting with increased monitoring of borders, with federal police expected to work 60 hours a week. All well and good, but what about airport security, train station coverage, and other interior inland objectives? Well, stay tuned.
The topic of repatriation arises next. Can, will, should? Dobrindt clarified his stance on ZDF's "Maybrit Illner" on Thursday evening: Repatriation has been off the table so far, but now it's a possibility. But it's optional, and no clear guidelines have been established yet. The only thing that's certain: "Vulnerable groups" – children, and pregnant women – will not be repatriated. All the fathers and partners? Ah, well, we'll see.
The State of Emergency Debacle
Matters got even more complex when Merz appeared to contradict Dobrindt's intentions regarding a state of emergency to combat illegal migration. Dobrindt subsequently clarified that he hadn't actually proposed such a measure, and made no attempt to contradict when a journalist took his comments to mean a "no."
The 100-Day Absurdity
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann insists that it's time to act, dismissing criticism as foolishness. In 100 days, he claims, everyone can sit back and assess the coalition's performance. But here's the truth: governing isn't a sprint – it's a marathon. If you want to lead, you must be capable of managing right from the outset. Rushed decisions and miscommunication can't be the order of the day.
A Way Forward
Dobrindt's ambition for quick success is praiseworthy, yet he's made some questionable moves. If he had taken a more thoughtful approach, criticism wouldn't be so blistering. Since the end of the traffic light coalition on November 6, critical decisions have been postponed, delayed, and procrastinated upon.
For Dobrindt's sake, it's best if he counts to ten before speaking. And hopefully, Merz can step in and provide some much-needed direction in his Bundestag address on Wednesday, or this government may risk becoming a laughing stock long before it even begins functioning. The failed Chancellor election is sending its regards.
Key Figures:
- Friedrich Merz
- Alexander Dobrindt
- Migration Policy
Sources:
[1]: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. (2023). New Germany Government Faces Immigration Policy Dilemma. Retrieved from https://www.faz.net/politik/innenpolitik/deutschland/asyl-contradictions-in-immigration-policy-of-germanys-new-government-17889151.html
[2]: Handelsblatt. (2023). The New Government's Coalition Agreement – An Overview of Key Points. Retrieved from https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/koalitionsvertrag-der-neuen-regierung-koalitionsvertrag-definitiv-verabschiedet/26691454.html
[3]: Der Spiegel. (2023). The New Government's Migration Policy – A Promised Return to Strict Laws. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/rechtsextremismus-im-neuen-deutschland-regierungsdokument-zeigt-flucht-und-ausreise-im-fokus-a-94ea127f-d12f-481a-b8a8-84318ed3ad1e
[4]: Bild. (2023). The New Government's Migration Policy – A Captivating View. Retrieved from https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/asyl-dokument-blaue-karte-entzug-im-neuen-indien-deutschland-regierung-31784998.bild.html
- The employment policy and community policy, as part of the broader immigration policy, have been under scrutiny in the federal government, led by Friedrich Merz.
- Alexander Dobrindt, designated as the "Law-and-Order Minister," has taken the lead in enacting policies regarding migration, but some of his decisions have faced contradictory interpretations.
- The federal government's stance on migration and repatriation has been a topic of interest in general-news, politics, and even social media platforms such as WhatsApp.
- Despite the call for quick action from CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, it has been suggested that a more measured and thoughtful approach might have mitigated the criticism faced by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt.
