(de-news.net) – The Influx Limitation Act has failed in the Bundestag in its second reading on Friday, with 338 votes in favor, 350 against, and five abstentions. The SPD and Greens had warned against aligning with the AfD. The debate was heated, as the Union’s leadership had considered passing the bill tolerating AfD votes. The FDP proposed delaying the vote, but negotiations behind closed doors were unsuccessful. SPD leader Rolf Mützenich criticized CDU leader Friedrich Merz for his approach, warning against collaboration with the AfD.
Merz, the Union Chancellor candidate, expressed disappointment but claimed the CDU and CSU emerged stronger after the vote. He stated that the vote, which included AfD support, was a normal democratic process. He denied any cooperation with the AfD, emphasizing that the CDU/CSU and AfD do not hold a majority in the Bundestag.
In the debate, SPD and Green leaders hailed the decision as historic, while the AfD criticized Merz’s leadership, while the AfD criticized Merz’s leadership. The deliberations highlighted significant divisions within the democratic center. The debate highlighted significant divisions within the democratic center. The proposed law aimed to restrict family reunification for subsidiary protection beneficiaries and grant the Federal Police more authority to detain those required to leave the country.
Before the debate, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck signaled willingness to discuss migration with the Union but criticized Merz for creating an “unacceptable” situation. Former Chancellor Merkel reminded Merz of his state responsibility. Also before the vote, SPD Vice-Chair Dirk Wiese accused Merz of neglecting collaboration with the democratic center. The SPD had made legislative proposals, including reforms to the European asylum system and the Federal Police Act. Protests occurred in a number of German cities.
The FDP had aimed to delay the Bundestag vote on the Union’s migration law to increase pressure on the governing factions. FDP leader Christian Dürr announced plans to refer the bill back to the Interior Committee, seeking a majority in the democratic center by February 11 but did not achieve sufficient backing behind the scenes.
