Olaf Scholz, Germany's leading opposition figure, exudes optimism as he collaborates with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Berlin, commending their shared eagerness to tackle the pressing refugee issue. Scholz assigns Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) the responsibility to coordinate private, focused discussions with key players, including representatives from the largest opposition party and relevant federal ministries.
The primary goal is to encourage legal immigration while reducing unauthorized migration, ensuring no violation of international accords, European regulations, or the Basic Law. Scholz's persistent commitment to this objective underlines the remembrance of the Solingen tragedy's victims.
Chancellor Scholz and CDU leader Merz meet at the Chancellery, where Merz expresses a shared ambition to fortify migration policies. Merz anticipates engaging in cross-party amendments during the upcoming Parliamentary session, aiming to cooperate with coalition-friendly sections.
Meanwhile, Faeser underlines the need for opposition dialogue on asylum matters, as Scholz reiterates that handling unauthorized migration can be achieved without breaching international agreements or European regulations.
According to a Deutschlandtrend poll, a majority of Germans (around 68%) advocate for fewer refugee intakes, with only 3% desiring an increase. The conservative union (CDU/CSU) has unveiled a five-point plan to strengthen asylum policies, featuring permanent border controls and the rejection of all illegal entry attempts, despite facing legal obstacles under Eu and German law. The proposal was backed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), sparking criticism from political figures like Angela Merkel.
Chancellor Scholz advocates deporting criminal offenders to Syria, contingent on stability and an inclusive political process. Faeser advocates for a unified EU approach to refuges and asylum seekers, expressing concerns over the conservative union's plan, which could dismantle joint European action. Protests against stricter migration policies have stirred amidst these developments, with organizations like Amnesty International voicing their opposition.
