Ahead of the upcoming snap parliamentary elections on February 23, leading German parties are advocating for stricter migration policies and an increase in deportations.
Illegal migration has become a key topic in the election debates, especially after CDU leader Friedrich Merz pushed a resolution through parliament to tighten migration rules, marking the first time he has aligned with the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD). This move sparked public outrage but also prompted other parties to propose similar measures.
In 2023, Germany deported around 16,430 people, and in the first 11 months of 2024, the number rose to 18,384. Despite this, politicians are calling for further increases in deportations. According to the German Interior Ministry, 60% of such operations fail due to migrants destroying their documents or their home countries refusing to accept them.
CDU MP Christoph de Vries argues that Germany’s deportation system is ineffective due to bureaucracy and a lack of detention facilities. He emphasizes the need to distinguish between asylum seekers and skilled workers, whom the country desperately needs.
The debate over deportations has intensified following recent terrorist attacks in Solingen and Aschaffenburg, carried out by migrants who were due to be expelled. Friedrich Merz is proposing radical measures, including the arrest of undocumented individuals at the border and the indefinite detention of dangerous migrants. However, his initiatives have faced criticism for violating EU law.
German politicians are also discussing the need for an EU-wide reform of migration policy, as many European countries face similar challenges. The CDU insists on strengthening controls at external borders and expanding Frontex’s mandate to curb illegal migration before it reaches Europe.
