With the AfD winning the migration debate, Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, has unveiled a bold strategy to tackle illegal immigration, including controversial push-backs at the border—measures that might conflict with EU law.
Merz announced these plans during a January 23 press briefing, emphasizing their importance for any future coalition government after the upcoming February 23 election, where the CDU is expected to win but will likely need a partner to form a majority.
The announcement followed a tragic stabbing in Aschaffenburg, where an Afghan immigrant allegedly killed a baby boy and a 41-year-old man. Merz described the attack as showcasing “a new quality of completely unhinged brutality” and vowed immediate action to prevent such events from becoming normalized in Germany.
Merz outlined five key measures that would take effect if he becomes chancellor:
- Border Controls and Push-Backs
Permanent border checks would be implemented, and immigrants without legal documents would be turned back. Merz called this an “entry ban,” which would even extend to individuals with EU-protected rights. Citing the dysfunction of the Dublin and Schengen systems, he asserted, “Germany must therefore use its right for the primacy of national law.” - Expanded Police Powers
The German Federal Police would gain authority to request arrest warrants for individuals residing in Germany illegally, a power currently held by the judiciary. - Detention Until Deportation
Illegal migrants slated for deportation would no longer be released from custody. Instead, they would remain detained until their removal, with unused military barracks and federal facilities repurposed to accommodate them. Merz noted the stark contrast between the 750 current detention spaces and over 220,000 individuals legally required to leave the country. - Federal Deportations
The Federal Police would be empowered to conduct daily deportations independently, eliminating reliance on Germany’s 16 states to manage the process. - Indefinite Detention of Dangerous Migrants
German residence laws would be amended to allow indefinite detention of illegal migrants deemed dangerous until their deportation or departure is complete.
Merz firmly stated, “I do not care who wants to walk this road with me politically. I will not take another route. And anybody who wants to walk with me must abide by these five points. There are no more compromises possible on this topic.”
His tough stance garnered praise from some quarters. German author Maurice Remy expressed renewed optimism, saying he “had hope again.” However, the CDU’s position sparked criticism from political rivals. The Greens’ Konstantin von Notz dismissed the proposals as “neither productive nor legally possible,” while SPD leader Rolf Mützenich argued, “Supposedly strong words do not do justice to the pain of the victims.”
Merz also faced questions about his timing, with critics suggesting the CDU introduce the plan before the election instead of waiting. Ulrich van Suntum, a professor and former AfD member, called the delay “absurd,” noting it would be easier to pass the plan now despite possible AfD support.
Responding to such critiques, the CDU announced on January 24 that it would present the migration plan in the Bundestag for a free vote in the coming week. Whether these measures gain traction remains to be seen, but they signal a seismic shift in Germany’s immigration policy debate.
