Philipp Türmer, head of the Social Democratic Party’s (SPD) youth wing, is pushing back hard against a potential coalition agreement with the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU). In a fiery social media post on March 11, Türmer made it clear—he won’t back down.
“I can’t, in good conscience, support a coalition agreement with these policies,” he declared, citing deep concerns over provisions related to labor, social affairs, and, most of all, migration.
Outrage Over Deportations and Citizenship Policies
Türmer was particularly incensed by proposed mass deportations, including to war-torn Syria. He called the idea appalling, especially in light of recent reports that 300 Alawite civilians were slaughtered there. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) claims Syrian security forces executed dozens of Alawites in Latakia province, a report the BBC covered on March 7.
As if that weren’t enough, Türmer blasted the possibility of revoking German citizenship for certain dual citizens. “That’s unconstitutional and crosses a red line,” he insisted, calling it an absolute dealbreaker.
The Jusos, SPD’s youth faction, doubled down on their stance with an Instagram post, stating flatly: “A Social Democratic party must not go along with something like this!” The group has been vocal about their opposition to turning away migrants at the border and remains committed to policies that support family reunification and humanitarian admission programs.
Internal SPD Support and Backlash Against the CDU
The youth wing isn’t alone in its outrage. High-profile SPD figures are also taking a stand. Party co-chair Saskia Esken and outgoing Interior Minister Nancy Faeser both expressed strong opposition to rejecting migrants at the border. Faeser warned against “national unilateralism,” while Esken slammed the proposed measures as “extremely dangerous.”
Even outgoing Defense Minister Boris Pistorius didn’t hold back. During an SPD parliamentary meeting on March 10, he dismissed the CDU’s approach to migration policy as toothless. “Limiting migration? Zero effect. None at all,” he scoffed, calling the CDU’s proposals nothing more than a political placebo.
Pistorius also had some choice words for CDU negotiators, reportedly describing them as “really unpleasant” and lacking any conscience. “Humanity and responsibility for others? Zero point zero,” he was quoted as saying.
A Coalition in Crisis?
The SPD’s internal revolt could spell trouble for the coalition talks. Losing the youth wing’s support is no small matter—every SPD member gets a vote in the final membership referendum on the agreement, and if Jusos refuses to back it, the entire deal could collapse.
Meanwhile, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who campaigned on tough migration policies following a surge in crime and terrorism linked to some immigrant communities, has already softened many of his initial demands. Even so, the growing opposition from within the SPD suggests that forming a stable coalition may be anything but smooth sailing.
