(de-news.net) – Before the vote on migration policy proposals, Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has urged SPD and Greens to support the legislation, claiming broad public backing. Despite criticism of the AfD within the debate on the proposals, AfD leaders expressed support. The BSW, led by Sahra Wagenknecht, planned to support parts of the Union’s plans, particularly the influx limitation law, but opposed other measures. CDU and CSU intend to introduce two asylum policy tightening proposals, including permanent border controls and entry bans for undocumented individuals. FDP leader Christian Lindner supported the proposals, while Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) deemed them impractical and potentially harmful to international cooperation. CDU politician Daniel Caspary expressed concern over collaboration signals with the AfD, however emphasizing the need for national regulations to limit illegal migration.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil, meanwhile, accused Union Chancellor candidate Merz of breaking his word and warned against deviating from the policies of former CDU Chancellors Kohl and Merkel. Klingbeil criticized Merz for considering cooperation with the far-right AfD, which he had previously vowed to avoid. He urged for a return to decency and centrism in German politics. SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch also criticized Merz, emphasizing the importance of maintaining democratic principles and rejecting far-right influence.
SPD Vice Chairman Dirk Wiese, on his part, deemed Merz’s border control plans unconstitutional and incompatible with European law. He argued that the SPD’s approach to migration policy, which includes implementing European asylum and refugee policies into national law and passing security legislation, would be more effective in ensuring Germany’s safety. Development Minister Svenja Schulze rejected the FDP’s proposal to link aid for poorer countries to the return of rejected asylum seekers, arguing that such an approach would create more causes for flight rather than solving the issue. She emphasized the importance of respectful cooperation in achieving successful repatriations.
In a separate development, SPD Bundestag member Kristian Klinck aligned with the Union’s demand for border rejections. He argued that unauthorized border crossings by new immigrants do not fit into a humanitarian concept unless political asylum is involved. Klinck called for a stricter asylum policy from his party and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emphasizing the need to limit immigration to better integrate existing refugees. However, Klinck criticized Union leader Friedrich Merz for considering AfD support to secure a majority for the Union’s proposals, calling it a breach of taboo.
