Bundestag debates sharp migration policy after a knife attack

Bundestag debates sharp migration policy after a knife attack

A week after the devastating knife attack in Aschaffenburg, in which two people were killed, there is a debate in the Bundestag about the rapid tightening of migration policy on the agenda. This debate is accompanied by a government declaration by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), which is scheduled for 2:10 p.m., followed by a 90-minute discussion and voting against two applications from the Union. Remszeitung reports that ...

Chancellor Scholz emphasizes the urgency to act according to the incidents in Aschaffenburg, where the attacker was a rejected asylum seeker from Afghanistan. In this context, the Union, which is represented by parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz, plans a five-point plan for migration policy. Among other things, this plan demands border controls, an entry ban for people without valid documents and daily deportations. The Union tries to differentiate itself from the AfD while picking up some of its positions at the same time. Merz calls for the support of the SPD and the Greens, but excludes a coalition with the AfD. Tagesschau reports that ...

applications from the Union

The Union intends to bring two central applications into the debate. The first application is the five-point plan, which also includes the detention of people who are obliged to leave. The second application aims at "a change of policy in internal security", which includes 27 new measures, including strengthening the security authorities and multiple video surveillance with facial recognition. These applications are formulated as proportions, which means that they do not cause immediate legal changes. Remszeitung reports that ...

The Union could reach a total of 372 votes with the votes of the CDU/CSU, FDP, AfD and parts of BSW, which would represent a majority in the Bundestag. The parliament counts 733 MPs, and there are already clear fronts: SPD, the Greens and the left reject applications while the AfD plans to agree to them - despite critical passages. Tagesschau reports that ...

some challenges and reactions

concern about the legality of the proposals are sound and experts express doubts about the feasibility. Chancellor and other parties criticize Merz 'project as unconstitutional. In particular, the FDP, under the leadership of Christian Lindner, calls for a different direction in migration policy, while the left and Sahra Wagenknecht from BSW complain that the suggestions are not sufficient.

In the background, the Federal Government has been working on improving migration policy for some time. At the end of 2023, legal regulations were introduced, which considerably simplify the expulsion and deportation of people without the right to stay. According to the new plans, increased monitoring of smuggling crime is also being planned. The Federal Government also relies on international agreements to reduce irregular migration, Federal Government reports that ... .

With the upcoming vote and the associated applications, there is already a heated debate in the Bundestag that could have far -reaching consequences for both the political landscape and for migration policy in Germany.