Friedrich Merz’s CDU is scrambling to clarify its stance on Afghan migrant flights after its likely coalition partner, the SPD, backed continued arrivals—arguing these individuals had supported German troops in Afghanistan. But new revelations suggest the SPD overstated its case.
Of the 155 migrants on the first flight since the election, only five had actually worked for German forces. With 22 family members joining them, that left 128 passengers with no apparent ties to Germany’s military efforts. To make matters worse, three Afghans on board were immediately flagged for criminal charges, arriving with proxy passports issued by the Taliban.
The numbers look even worse for Merz’s CDU ahead of the next incoming flight. Out of 157 expected passengers, just two are former staff, accompanied by 13 relatives. Others include self-proclaimed democracy activists, though officials admit security screenings have been rushed and unreliable.
CDU’s Alexander Throm acknowledged that most former Afghan staff eligible for relocation are already in Germany. Still, with CDU leaders wavering on their pre-election migration stance—and coalition talks with the SPD ongoing—any major policy shift seems unlikely.
The previous government had already taken in 50,000 Afghans since the Taliban’s return in August 2021. The next flight is set to land in Berlin on March 5.
