In a significant policy shift, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has proposed declaring a national emergency to tackle illegal immigration, signaling a departure from the country’s longstanding open-border approach.
On his first day in office, Chancellor Merz announced plans to implement permanent border controls and reject undocumented migrants attempting to enter Germany. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt confirmed the deployment of an additional 3,000 federal police officers, raising the total to 14,000, to enforce these measures. The policy includes turning away asylum seekers at the border, resuming deportations to Syria, and suspending family reunification programs. Exceptions will be made for children and pregnant women.
Legal and Diplomatic Challenges
The proposed national emergency declaration would allow Germany to override certain EU regulations, such as the Dublin and Schengen agreements, which mandate asylum processing in the first EU country of entry and permit passport-free travel between member states. Critics argue that invoking a national emergency without a verifiable crisis could strain relations within the EU and face legal challenges. Neighboring countries like Switzerland have expressed concerns, with Switzerland warning that Germany’s unilateral enforcement of these policies could violate international law.
Public Response and Political Implications
The proposed measures have sparked widespread protests across Germany, with approximately 200,000 demonstrators gathering in Berlin alone. Critics, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel, have condemned the collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which supported the migration bill. Merkel described the alliance as a breach of the “firewall” that has historically kept the AfD out of mainstream politics.
Chancellor Merz’s proposed national emergency declaration represents a significant shift in Germany’s immigration policy, emphasizing national sovereignty over EU regulations. While the move aims to address public concerns over illegal immigration, it raises complex legal and diplomatic questions that will require careful navigation. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the policy’s implementation and its impact on Germany’s relations within the European Union.