Ready to Support "Strict Immigration Policies" by Merz and FDP
Following the disturbing incident in Solingen, opposition leader Merz is advocating for stricter immigration and asylum policies. He's even willing to collaborate with the SPD, even without other coalition partners, if necessary. Now, the FDP is echoing these sentiments.
The FDP stands behind a substantial change in immigration and asylum policies, working hand-in-hand with the Union. As stated by party leader Christian Lindner to "Bild" newspaper, "The FDP supports cross-party initiatives to firmly implement a new pragmatism in migration policies from both federal and state governments." Lindner sees Merz's proposals as closely aligned with the FDP's stance.
Merz suggests a pause in immigration and asylum policies post-Solingen. He encourages Federal Chancellor Scholz to take a different approach from the coalition partners, Greens and FDP, in this area and draft corresponding laws in the German Bundestag with a majority of Union and SPD. Merz mentions potential updates to the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, the Residence Act, and the Act on the Federal Police's Competence Regulation as possible examples.
Lindner refers to Chancellor Merkel's approach during the 2015 refugee crisis, stating the FDP had advocated for a different immigration strategy even when the CDU adhered to Merkel's approach. The FDP leader also supports withholding social benefits from some asylum seekers. "We also propose stopping social benefits for Dublin asylum seekers, including the Solingen attacker, to enable them to depart for the responsible EU country," Lindner told the newspaper.
According to the EU Dublin Regulation, an asylum seeker is supposed to apply in the first member state they enter. However, in the Solingen incident, a 26-year-old Syrian, a suspected attacker, should have been deported but failed to be handled by German authorities. The Syrian initially entered an EU state, Bulgaria, which intended to return him under the Dublin procedural framework. Yet, the necessary bureaucracy in Germany didn't progress, allowing him to stay.
The FDP agrees with the EU Commission's proposed changes in immigration and asylum policies, a stance that closely aligns with Merz's post-Solingen proposals. Lindner emphasizes the importance of cross-party cooperation to improve immigration policies with a pragmatic approach.
Merz and the Commission's shared vision for immigration and asylum policies, particularly in terms of modifications to the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, the Residence Act, and the Act on the Federal Police's Competence Regulation, is significant.
Additional Perspectives:
Insights into Merz's Proposed Changes:
Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader in Germany, has a five-point plan to address irregular migration post-Solingen. This plan includes measures to tighten migration and asylum laws and potentially involve a national emergency declaration to close borders, while considering EU regulations and restrictions. Here are some key points:
- Strengthening Border Controls:
- EU law requires border controls to respond to threats to public order or internal security. Merz's stricter border controls could comply with these conditions.
- Asylum Seeker Processing:
- The Dublin III Regulation requires asylum seekers to be processed in the first EU country they arrive in. Merz's proposal to turn away asylum seekers at Germany's borders could potentially violate this regulation, leading to conflicts with neighboring countries.
- National Emergency Declaration:
- Merz could potentially use Article 72 of the EU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to declare a national emergency and close borders. However, this would require proving a national emergency, a high bar to meet.
