Merz 'Migration Act rejected in the Bundestag: a landslide for the Union!
Merz 'Migration Act rejected in the Bundestag: a landslide for the Union!
On January 31, 2025, a decisive vote on the controversial "influx limitation law" took place in the Bundestag. The draft law, brought in by the Union with the support of the FDP and AfD, should limit migration to Germany by, among other things, exposed to family reunification for subsidiary protection. This project provided heated discussions and conflicts within the political ranks. Although there was initial enthusiasm and applause for the initiative of Union faction leader Friedrich Merz, the result of the vote was sobering. The draft law was rejected with 350 no votes to 338 yes votes, which clarified the uncertainties within the coalitions. It was crucial that the proposal in the second reading could not secure a majority and lacked numerous MPs, which resulted in a narrow coordination. Some voices within the SPD and the Greens sharply criticized Merz because of the cooperation with the Afd.
According to the draft law, the federal police should also be responsible for “residence -related measures” at train stations. In the last minute, negotiations between the factions failed, and in particular the FDP proposed to reject the legislative proposal to the interior committee. However, this was not enough to secure the consent to the asylum law reform. The Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and other political representatives accused Merz of undermining the democratic values, and there have already been considerations from the SPD to submit a constitutional action against the law if it had actually been adopted.criticism and reactions to the vote
The political debate about migration policy runs like a thread through the Bundestag election campaign 2025. After a knife attack in Aschaffenburg, Merz changed his previously negative attitude to a migration election campaign. The Union brought five applications and a draft law that made the focus on migration clear. However, the desire for clear solutions is treated very differently in the parties' election programs. While the Union has actually planned a stop at the limits and rejections of asylum seekers, the SPD relies on an acceleration of the asylum procedure and maintaining family reunification.
The Greens, on the other hand, stand for maintaining the fundamental right to asylum and are involved in humanitarian recording programs for endangered groups. The FDP also wanted to find a solution together with the SPD and the Greens, but all suggestions remained without success, which clarified the profound different views on the topic. The Central Council of Jews expressed great disappointment after the vote and described the day as a "black day" for democracy, which underlined despair about the political situation.
election forecasts and the future of coalitions
In view of the failed coordination, the political situation in Germany shows increasing dissatisfaction with the governments. Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed that he can difficult to process the result of the vote and see an overall chance of re -election at 60 percent. Nevertheless, the question remains how the Union will deal with these internal tensions and criticism of working with the AfD. The implementation of an independent and stable migration policy is of crucial importance for the Union and the nation, since political pressure is growing and social changes are becoming more and more present.Migration policy will continue to be a central topic not only in the Bundestag election campaign, but also in the future political agenda in Germany. Parties such as the left and the AfD represent extreme views on migration and thus show the big cracks within the political spectrum. The outcome of these political disputes could significantly influence the future direction of Germany in dealing with migration and integration.
For further information on the developments in migration policy and the various statements of the parties, visit: lto and Tagesschau .
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Ort | Bundestag, Berlin, Deutschland |
| Quellen | |