Germany is set to bring its toughest migration policies in decades. The election in Germany concluded in February, and a collision of two parties expected to form the next government, the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). The election was the far-right’s most decisive national election result since the Second World War. The main election issues were migration and economic distress. The Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right political party, capitalized on these issues to become the second-strongest party in Germany.
The growing sentiments against migration have caused a loss of relevance for liberal and conservative parties. Understanding the need for the hours, the expected collision government is set to bring the new migration policies for Germany to save their relevance in German Politics.
According to Politico, the parties have agreed on a broad package to curb migration. The draft has not yet been made public.
Possible policy changes to curb immigration
The draft policies include a substantial increase in detention capacity for migrants awaiting deportation, a two-year moratorium on family reunifications, and an enlargement of the list of “safe” countries to which asylum applicants can be returned—which now includes Algeria, India, Morocco, and Tunisia.
The agreement would also allow for the repatriation of migrants with criminal convictions and eliminate the existing requirement that migrants obtain legal counsel before being returned.
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which finished second in the February 23 election and is expected to become an outspoken opposition force in the new Bundestag (Parliament), is pushing for policies that would significantly shift migration to the right.
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No Convergence on Defence and Migration Issues
Despite CDU’s pushing for offshore asylum and repatriation centres, the Olaf Scholz party SPD has so far resisted and has cited legal and moral concerns. The other issue of friction between these two possible collision parties is defence spending. The CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, wants to increase military spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP— well above NATO’s 2 percent target, which could put Germany among the world’s top military spenders. Meanwhile, SPD, despite acknowledging the requirement, has resisted the increase in the Bundeswehr budget.
Due to the increasing fear of the US pulling back its security umbrella from Europe under Trump’s presidency, CDU is pushing for the return of compulsory military service, which was abolished in 2011. However, the Olaf Scholz party opposes compulsory military service and wants to keep military service voluntary.
These draft policies on Military and Migration are part of a negotiation series between the coalition group. The deadline for finalization of the agreement was expected to come by Easter, but they have yet to reach a common ground.
Changing Politics in Europe
Recently, the issue of migration and the issue of defending Europe have become the central topic in almost every European country. If decisions are not taken fast and firmly, Europe may lose their relevance in the coming decades. Germany’s social, political and economic landscape is changing rapidly with the increase of right-wing supporters, and these attempts are being made to counter the support, but it may not work.
