Bloody knife attack in Aschaffenburg influences Bundestag debate!

Bloody knife attack in Aschaffenburg influences Bundestag debate!

A week after the tragic knife attack in Aschaffenburg, in which a mentally ill man from Afghanistan fatally injured a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old father of family, there are significant debates and voting on a stricter migration policy in the Bundestag. The attacker, who was subject to departure, is now in a psychiatric facility. ZVW reports that a government declaration is submitted, while the Union plans for two applications for the name.

The political debate is strongly influenced by the events in Aschaffenburg. Tagesschau emphasizes that under its Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz takes up a clear position in this debate and that a collaboration with the AfD is considering. Merz has announced that he submit applications to close the borders and to suspend asylum law. However, it is not unproblematic, since Scholz and other SPD representatives warn of normalizing the AfD and criticizing their statements as a "break in taboo".

The Greens also express concerns and warn of working with the AfD. The CSU politician Dobrindt is unimpressed by the AfD voting, while FDP boss Lindner explains that he doesn't care whether the AfD is right. This dynamic runs through the entire political discourse, which is described as increasingly rough. Health Minister Lauterbach is also exposed to sharp criticism, especially with regard to his statements about the migration debate.

The context of migration policy

The knife attack and its effects are part of a major discussion about migration and asylum policy in Germany. Tagesschau emphasizes that statutory tightening has already been introduced in similar cases as the knife attack in Solingen in August 2024. Before the Bundestag election on February 23, the demands for more border controls and tightening in migration increase.

The discussion about dealing with migrants is critically examined by experts. The legal scientist Hruschka warns of general suspicion against migrants and emphasizes that the debate often ignores relevant facts. It is pointed out that many of the immigrants legally live in Germany and the number of asylum applications in 2024 fell by about 30 percent.

Overall, there is a picture that is shaped by a polarized migration debate in which political positions are tough down. The actors in the Bundestag are faced with the challenge of doing justice to the current events and at the same time maintaining social cohesion. The upcoming votes could play a crucial role in the future orientation of German migration policy.