The FDP shows enthusiasm for teaming up with the CDU in bolstering asylum regulations.
The Liberals (FDP), spearheaded by their leader Christian Lindner, have cheered on the tougher asylum laws championed by CDU head Friedrich Merz. In an article for Funke newspapers, FDP's parliamentary group head Christian Dürr commended Merz's initiatives and urged for even more restrictive measures. According to Dürr, "Many of Merz's proposals regarding migration align with the FDP's perspective. We aim to push further and withhold social aid from Dublin refugees facing deportation."
Dürr also highlighted the importance of democratic parties cooperating in tackling migration issues. He cited the Solingen case as an example of why such collaboration is necessary, as the CDU-led North Rhine-Westphalia government has had difficulty deporting the perpetrator. For Dürr, joining forces between federal and state governments is essential for tackling this challenge effectively.
Lindner echoed Dürr's sentiments, stating that the FDP was ready to engage in cross-party initiatives to implement consistent realism in migration policies. He also pointed out that the FDP had previously advocated for tighter immigration control when the CDU was following Merkel's course. Lindner proposed discontinuing social benefits for many asylum seekers, similar to the Solingen attacker.
On Tuesday, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed Merz, the CDU parliamentary group head, to the Chancellery. Merz expressed his intention to spearhead a joint approach to tightening migration policies with coalition factions that are open to collaboration during the upcoming Bundestag session, set to begin on September 9.
While the FDP has supported stricter asylum policies as demonstrated by their past calls to tighten immigration control, collaboration with the CDU remains essential to address this issue effectively.
Additional Insights:
- Both the FDP and CDU acknowledge the significance of democratic parties working together to tackle migration issues.
- The Danish migration policies, which the FDP has praised, have drawn criticism from human rights organizations for being overly restrictive.
- The CDU's asylum policy platform includes measures such as permanent border controls and refusing asylum seekers at the border, which have been met with controversy due to their potential infringement on both German and EU laws.
- The CDU's collaboration with the far-right AfD to pass a non-binding motion on asylum policy has been criticized by the SPD and Greens, who argue that it contravenes historical political norms. Merz, however, has stated that he will continue advocating for stricter migration policies, even if this means working with the AfD.
