Merz Firm on German Border Controls: Euro-aligned, Not a Solo Venture
No single point of entry offers comprehensive services at the border.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists that enhanced border controls in Germany won't be an isolated effort, but a harmony with European law. In a trip to Brussels, he emphasized that neighboring nations have been alerted to the tightened border checks and the policy doesn't amount to a solo German action.
"Border control is beefed up," Merz says, "We're making them like during the UEFA Euro last year." Yet, a state of emergency has not been declared by any member of the federal government, Merz asserted.
Recent reports suggested Merz proclaimed a "national emergency" for permanent border control—however, a government representative later dismissed this claim.
The new administration aims to tackle unwanted migration by reinforcing border controls and turning away asylum seekers. Critics argue this approach may violate EU law or endanger the borderless EU internal market. Austria, on the other hand, supports Germany's anti-smuggling mafia and illegal migration endeavors, yet stresses compliance with current EU regulations.
Merz Urges EU Course Correction
The trip to Brussels also yielded demands from Merz for the EU Commission to reconsider its stance. Post his meeting with EU Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President von der Leyen, Merz petitioned for the annulment of the EU's supply chain directive. "We'll repeal the German law, and expect the EU to follow suit and annul this directive," Merz said, standing alongside von der Leyen.
While the repeal of certain directives is being pursued, Merz believes a general rollback of EU legislations is required. He indicates that the new government will propose reforms that surpass the existing EU reform proposals, advocating not just for the delay of directives, but their complete scrapping.
In response, von der Leyen cautioned against "gold-plating," or the addition of extra national bureaucratic requirements to EU laws.
Both von der Leyen and Merz agreed on the necessity of completing the capital market union in the EU, facilitating easier access to loans for businesses. They also advocated for more free trade agreements, affirming the need to expedite concluding them with partner nations.
Various rumors have surfaced regarding Merz's intentions to revoke EU directives, though these misconceptions are highly unlikely. His primary focus lies on devising strategies within EU regulations to harden border policies. Reports of a 2015 verbal instruction by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, allowing undocumented immigrants to enter Germany, have since been rescinded by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt as part of the reform of Germany's asylum system.
Merz's broader policy approach centers around strengthening European unity through increased cooperation with nations like France and Poland in areas such as investment policies, security, energy, and space exploration.
- The Commission has also been involved in the preparation of the draft directive, considering Merz's petition for the annulment of an EU directive during his meeting with Commission President von der Leyen.
- Border controls, a central focus of Merz's policy, are not intended to be a solo German action, as neighboring nations have been alerted to the tightened border checks.
- In politics and general news, Merz has urged a course correction, advocating not just for the delay of directives but their complete scrapping, including the reviewed EU supply chain directive he mentioned in Brussels.
- Merz's policy does not aim to revoke all EU directives, as his primary focus is on devising strategies within EU regulations to harden border policies, such as the border control measures implemented for the UEFA Euro last year.
