An Early Bird, a Role Model, and a Complicated Exchange
Rapid Access Gained to the Desired Model, Yet Complexities Persist
By Hubertus Volmer
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz lauds Denmark as a "beacon in migration policy" - a praise he's long dished out. During the visit of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, he acknowledges the intricacy of Germany's situation.
Mette Frederiksen, the favored social democrat among German conservatives, has charmed reactions in the past. At the Munich Security Conference, Merz (then a Chancellor candidate) admired, "If only all social democrats were like Mette Frederiksen!" His sigh of relief likely includes migration policy. Last year, Merz urged then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz to welcome Frederiksen to Berlin, claiming Denmark had "successfully steered migration policy for years." Despite high refugee numbers due to the Russian war against Ukraine, asylum figures in Denmark have been low for quite a while.
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Now Merz has invited Frederiksen to Berlin - even though she was already there in January, accompanied by Merz's predecessor Scholz. As before, discussions revolved around US President Donald Trump's Greenland claim, the threat from Russia, and the Russian fleet in the Baltic Sea.
A Long-standing Role Model
Unlike the earlier visit, migration was on the table this time around. "Denmark has been a role model for us in migration policy for a long time," Merz stated at the joint press conference with Frederiksen in the Chancellery. They plan to work alongside new and stricter asylum regulations within the European Union.
Frederiksen returned the compliment. She quoted the old adage, "The early bird catches the worm." Affirming "German leadership" working toward a stronger EU, she added that they see eye to eye on central issues, with protecting Europe from Russia ranking high on the agenda.
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Migration policy was the second item on the agenda. Frederiksen, whose country will assume the EU Council presidency on July 1, remarked, "Citizens in many European countries, including Germany and Denmark, have voiced concerns for years." She looks forward to negotiating with the new German Chancellor, as Europe requires solutions to decrease the number of arrivals and ensure efficient returns. "If we want to maintain the social cohesion of our societies, we cannot accept everyone who wants to come to Europe."
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Such statements resonate with Frederiksen's democratic peers. For years, Denmark has pursued a blend of toughness and symbolic policy. Refugee accommodations are called "departure centers," and even though migrants reside there for several years, they are intended as short-term stays. In 2019, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture compared the conditions in the Ellebæk departure center to prison conditions in countries like Russia.
This much is clear: As Daniel Minister for Immigration and Integration Kaare Dybvad Bek told "Der Spiegel" last year, "These places should not be designed in a manner that one would want to stay in Denmark." Dybvad, like Frederiksen, is a Social Democrat. The departure centers aim to convey, "You are unwanted. Accept that you have no future in this country."
Only 70 Kilometers of Border
However, Danish asylum policy may not be easily applied to Germany - for reasons of legality and practicality. Merz acknowledged this at the press conference with Frederiksen without going into detail. When a Danish journalist probed whether Germany would shift toward Danish migration policy, Merz did not unquestioningly agree, as he might have done as an opposition politician. Instead, he noted that Germany has "far more external borders" than Denmark, and that its situation is "more convoluted."
Politics Europe's Toughest Asylum Policy: How Denmark Has Reduced Its Refugee Numbers Indeed. Denmark boasts a land border with Germany that spans approximately 70 kilometers - a much simpler barrier to control compared to Germany's 2,000-kilometer-long boundaries with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria.
Moreover, Denmark has secured various "opt-outs" since joining the European Communities in 1973, permitting it to disregard certain European laws. This provides Denmark more flexibility than other EU countries.
The Dilemma Facing Germany: "Leadership" or Deterrence?
Furthermore, Denmark possesses the northern advantage: To reach Denmark, asylum seekers typically must pass through Germany. Danish deterrent policies may have induced more migrants to remain in Germany.
One could also define Danish migration policy as unsympathetic. If a large country like Germany were to emulate Denmark's model, its influence on other countries would be much more considerable. The "German leadership" highlighted by Frederiksen would likely disappear.
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Merz did not address this catch-22 at the appearance with Frederiksen. Instead, he maintained support for the joint initiative of Denmark, Italy, and the Netherlands for asylum procedures in third countries and even commended the previous German government for heading in the right direction: "The numbers [of asylum seekers and refugees] are decreasing, but we are still far from where we should be."
Source: ntv.de
- Denmark
- Friedrich Merz
- Federal Chancellery
- Migration
- Immigration
- Asylum PolicyDenmark and Germany have shown a tendency toward stricter migration and asylum policies, though they adopt distinct and prioritized approaches to asylum rules and deterrence tactics.
Asylum Rules
Denmark- Strict Family Reunification: Denmark imposes stringent family reunification rules, demanding both parties to be at least 24 years old, an attachment requirement, and a stronger connection to Denmark than any other country for reunification [1][4].- Temporary Protection: Denmark offers temporary protection to certain refugee groups, curtailing long-term integration prospects and focusing on repatriation [1].- Restrictive Asylum Measures: Denmark has been a pioneer in advocating for stricter asylum rules within the EU, both nationally and at the bloc level [3][5].
Germany- Historically More Liberal: Historically, Germany has been more liberal compared to Denmark, notably during the 2015–2016 refugee crisis, when it accepted large numbers of asylum seekers, primarily from Syria and Afghanistan.- Recent Policy Shift: Germany is now shifting toward tighter migration and asylum policies, emulating Denmark’s approach [2][3].- Cooperation with Denmark: Germany and Denmark have announced intentions to drive stricter asylum rules within the EU and implement these changes rapidly [3][5].
Deterrence Strategies
Denmark- Deterrence by Policy Design: Denmark’s deterrence policies are embedded within its migration system, fashioning temporary protection, limiting family reunification, and regularly assessing the need for continued protection to discourage settlement [1][4].- Public Welfare Tie: The reforms were initially rationalized by concerns over the financial sustainability of Denmark’s welfare state, ensuring migrants and their families are economically self-sufficient or strongly tied to Denmark [4].- International Influence: Denmark has led initiatives for broader European reforms, campaigning for a reinterpretation of human rights laws governing migration [5].
Germany- Balancing Humanitarian and Security: Germany has historically balanced its humanitarian obligations with a need for order and integration, but recent policy discussions emphasize tightening controls and reducing migrant inflows [2][3].- Focus on Integration and Repatriation: Despite increased pressure, Germany still places emphasis on integration programs and voluntary repatriation for rejected asylum seekers. However, the trend is to move toward more restrictive measures, including quicker processing times and stricter criteria for asylum and family reunification, mirroring Denmark’s approach [2][3].- Political Pressure for Reform: Germany faces public and political pressure to curb migration, fostering support for EU-wide asylum reforms and closer ties with like-minded countries like Denmark [3][5].
Summary Table
| Policy Aspect | Denmark | Germany ||--------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|| Family Reunification | Very strict: age, attachment requirements, limited access[1][4] | Becoming stricter, inspired by Denmark[2][3] || Asylum Protection | Temporary protection, limited long-term settlement[1] | Shifting toward tougher rules, but still more integration options[2][3] || Deterrence | Policy design to discourage migration[1][4] | Increasing focus on controls and faster processing[2][3] || EU Influence | Leads coalitions for stricter EU migration laws[5] | Joins Denmark in pushing for EU reforms[3][5] |
Key Differences
- Excessiveness: Denmark’s asylum and family reunification policies are among the strictest in Europe, while Germany is gradually implementing similar measures.
- Integration vs. Deterrence: Germany has traditionally emphasized integration, but is now focusing on deterrence and more rapid processing, echoing Denmark’s approach.
- EU Leadership: Denmark has been a trailblazer in advocating for stricter EU migration laws, while Germany is increasingly aligning itself with these efforts, signaling a convergence in policy direction, but not yet in severity [3][5].
- The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, spoke highly of Denmark's migration and employment policy during a visit with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, acknowledging its success and lengthy influence on Germany.
- Mette Frederiksen, a Danish Social Democrat, commended Germany's leadership, especially in EU policy, and emphasized shared views on critical issues like counteracting migration and threats from war-and-conflicts.
- Migration policy during the visit was a point of discussion, with both leaders noting the need for stricter asylum regulations within the EU, matching a long-standing approach of both countries' policy-and-legislation towards employment and migration.
