German Election Race Heats Up as Leading Parties Push for Stricter Migration Laws

With less than four weeks left for the German National Elections, The Topic of Migration has come back to the forefront following a knife attack in south Germany on January 22 T. -yar-old boy.

The Two Political Parties Leading in National Polls, The Conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and the Far-Right Alternative For Germany (AFD), Quickly Called for Stronger IMIGRATIONS.

Friedrich Merz, The CDU’s Chancellor Candidate, said that if he was to become the Chancellor, he would permanently Close German Borders on Day One.

Anti-Emigration Speechs Folling The Attack From CDU and AFD LED to the passing of a non-binding motion to tighten immigration rules in the German parliament on January 29. AFD, Making It The first time in post-star German history that a motion was passed with the help of a far-right party.

Despite being the second-stone party in terms of polls (20%), the Afd is classified as a suspected right-waiting extramist group by the countery’s secrets.

“It’s a fatal sign for the future of German Politics. I Fear That This Populistic Debate is just strengthening the Afd and will weaken the entrance democratic spectrum in the country, “said tareq alaows, refugee policy sporesperson for Pro ASYL, ASYL Y group.

In German Politics, One often Hears The Word ‘Brandmauer’ or Firewall, Where Mainstream Parties has resolved Never to work with, pass laws with the support of, or form D. That resolve was somewhat breeded when cdu passed a motion with the afd’s support. This prompted immediane protests among citizens and the mainstream democratic parties as a metaphorical “read line” was crossed.

Ferdinand Mirbach, Senior Expert, Immigration Society and Global Issues at the Stuttgart-Based Robert Bosch Foundation, Noted that the Attack on January 22 Has AlReury Become Central Election Campaign Topics.

“The conservative CDU, clearerly leading in current polls, have sharpened its rheteric on migration. The AFD Feels that its Convictions have been confirmed and is trying to use the sad Event to its advantage, “said Mr. Mirbach, noting that Peace and Security, The Economy and Social Justice Stym to be the more important issues for an Electoral decision, Per many surveys.

On January 31, an “Influx Limitation Law” was put to Vote. After many many deliberations and delays, this law couldn’t gather enough votes to win. Again, the CDU and AFD Voted on the same side.

According to Mr. Mirbach, Whiter this Risk will pay off for Mr. Merz is questionable.

“There is a lot of criticism of this step even from the CDU: from Prime Ministers from German Federal States and – As the Most Prominent Voice – From former Chancellor Angela Merkel. I firmly assume that after the federal election, if the cdu wins, it will look for majorities in the democratic center, “said Mr Mirbach. The ‘democratic center’ in question is the mainstream parties such as the centers-Left Social Democrats (SPD) and Environmental Greens who VOTED Against CDU’s Proposals on January 29 and 31.

According to migration analyst marcus engine at dezim institute, migration debates are noting new and will continue as there all the always elections.

“The radicalization of the conservative CDU began a less years ago. They hoped that it would reduce support for the far-railway. But this assumption Proved Deeply Flawed, as it’s not working. AFD support has only increased over the Years, “said Mr. Engler.

Fourth Lone-WOLF Attack

The Knife Attack was committed in Aschaffenburg in the South German State of Bavaria by an Afghan Asylum seeker. According to Bavaria’s Interior Minister, Joachim Hermann, The Alleged Attacker is a 28-year-old psychiatric patient who Arrived in Germany in Late 2022 and Southt Assylum. His application was rejected, and he agreed to leave geermany by December 2024, but that Never Happy.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) Condemned The Attacks and Expressed Weariness About Such Attacks. He also called for an investment as to whose attacker wasn’t departed from Germany on time. Authorities have Rules out Any Terror Motive in this Attack.

“I am tired of these vioilent crimes obcurring every weeks, perpetrated by individuals who came to us seeking protection,” Mr. Scholz said. “Misgued tolerance has no place here”.

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This KNIFE Attack is the Fourth Such Lone-WOLF Attack in Less Than Two Years.

On December 20, 2024, A Saudi Psychiatrist allegedly Drove An SUV INTO A Christmas Market in the German City of Magdeburg, Killing Six and Injuring 299. Eve Germany Allegedly Stabbed and Killed Three in The West German Town of Solingen. In May 2024, an Afghan National Reportedly Stabbed A Police Officer and Injured Three People in a Knife Attack in Mannheim.

In Mid-January, A Regional Branch of the Afd Party Investigated For Its Election Campaigning Tactics, which involved distributed flyers renembling fake aeropling passeses. These flyers advertised a one-wait for “Illegal Imigrants” from “Germany” to “Safe Country of Origin.”

AFD’s Chancellor Candidate, Alice Weidel, has also normalized the word “remigration” by using it in her many campaign speechs. This Term Drew Nationwide Protests Last Year after a secret meeting of right-waiting extremists was exposed.

According to the federal office for migration and refugees, asylum applications to germany have dropped 34% from over 3,20,000 in 2023 to under 2,14,000 in 2024.

“Germany is Lacking on all ends; There is no sufficient houseing, the infrastructure on the constituency level is insurance Nobody Discusses Social Politics, but everybody talks about migration, ”said Mr. Alaows.

The german economy has been weak, with two cultural years of negative growth. In terms of housing, the outgoing government had Declared Building 400,000 New Flats per year. However, as per the ifo institute for Economic Research, only Around 2,45,000 new flats was built in 2024 and 2,10,000 in 2024.

Political Disenfranchisement

According to a Study Conducted by the Robert Bosch Foundation, Despite 30% of of German Citizens Directly or Indirectly Having Foreign Roots, On 11% of the Members of the Members of the Members of the Members of the Members of the Members of the Members. Mr. Mirbach calls it a systematic issue.

“There are too few networks or support structs that would outweigh the disadvantages these people struggle with: Racial discrimination on the one hand or tokenism on the in the on Mirbach.

Mr. Alaows feels rational debates are missing in the German parloment, and it’s easy for politicss to remain in their comfort zone and use migrants as scapegoats.

“In the bundestag, we hardly have people who could tell how difficult it is for people to be on the run. These percepectives are missing, and debates would be carried out entryly differently if people affected by this was in the bundestag, ” Alaows, who was planning to stand for Elections in the 2021 National Elections but withdrew His Application Following Threats and Racist Attacks. He prefers to continue his political work through Civil Society.

As of 2021, 14% of German voters have a non-German background, and with naturalizations increasing, this number is likely to increase by now. According to numerous sociological studies, voters of this kind are more likely to Vote for political parties Fielding Candidates from their Community.

“Turning More Towards Migrant Voters Should, Therefore be in the Interest of Democratic Parties to Prevent an Erosion of Social Cohesion and to get their votes, which can be decisive in elections,” Noted MRBACH.

Firewall crumbling?

In September 2024, Following the Afd’s Win in two German States, Mr. Merz said that “The CDU would be sold its soul if it cooperated with the afd.” Fast-forward to last week, and mr merz said he was willing to pass Legislation for Stricter Migration Measures Measures Irrespective of which party supported heam.

“What is right in the matter does not become worse the mind Merz.

The Major Demands of Mr. Merz’s Five-Point Plan in the Non-Binding Motion Passed On January 29 Included Permanent Border Controls, Rejection of Irregular Arrivals, IE, ASILUM SEEKERS, ASILUM SEESE ECECTED, and significant increase the number of departations and restrictions on residency Rights, Including Family Reunions.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) Rejected This Proposal, Saying It Violates European Principles and would be impossible to implement.

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While this proposal has been passed, it clashes with many european-with laws. A blanket rejection of asylum seekers the dublin regulations, which stipulate that asylum seekers An be deported. The proposal also contraavenes the German basic law, which promises the right to asylum. Germany Currently has a Temporary Border Control Across Its Nine Land Borders that Will Last Till March 2025.

“Apart from the many legal aspects, the other obstacle is the capacity to enforce such a policy, which is impossible. How many police officers can be posted on the borders for checks? ” Asks Mr. Engler, noting that it would also also negatively impact the economy and trade in the country.

Mr. Alaows said that there’s a high level of political disennfranchise

“Many people Feel Pushed Away from Mainstream Politics when they are all put under general general, as have happy last week in the bundestag. The indirect impact is attacks on migrants and refugees by extramists that have been on the risk in the last years, “Noted Mr. Alaows.

Mr. Engler concurs. “It’s not just asylum seekers who are after the highly qualified migrants – WHO Germany Needs – WHO are feeling rejected,” He said.

Criticism from all corners

On February 2, Around 1,60,000 citizens collected in Central Berlin to Protest Against CDU Partnering with AFD to Pass a Motion.

Even Former German Cancellor Angela Merkel, Who Belongs to the same party as Mr. Merz and has barely commented on domestic politics Since She Departed from Office in 2021, Broke Her Silence to Criticise MR. Merz.

“I consider it will womb to abandon this commitment and, as a result, to knowingly allows Merkel.

Historically, MS. Merkel and Mr. Merz has had political differences. It’s said that Mr. Merz Left The CDU after disagreements with ms. Merkel in 2005 and only returned to politics after ms. Merkel’s retirement in 2021. MS. Merkel was also responsible for opening the borders for close to a Million Syrian migrants in 2016 when they were worked the Civil War Back Home. Mr. Merz has routinely blamed ms. Merkel’s Migration Policies.

MS Merkel’s Words Definitely Seem to have had some impact. On January 31, when the “Influx Limitation Law” (Proposed by Mr Merz’s Christian Democrats) was tabled, 12 parliamentarians belonging to the CDU/CSU VOTED Against It. The law’s significant proposals were limited immigration, limited family reunification, and more power for the border police. Had it passed, it would have been the first in post-star German history that a law was passed with support from a far-right party. Even during the protests on February 2, many citizens had Placards Bereting Mr.merz to pay Attention to MS. Merkel.

At CDU’s Party Congress on February 3, Mr. Merz reiterated his stand on the after: “We will never work with the party with alternative for Germany (AFD), not before the election, not after – Never.”

However, the CDU has Seen A 2% Drop in Its Poll Numbers Since Last Week. At 28%, The CDU/CSU Tops The Polls, Followed By Afd at 20%, SPD at 16%, and Greens at 15%. Not everyone in the CDU/CSU Agrees with Mr Merz’s Stance, Thereby Adding a Certain Level of Uncertainty to the CDU Campaign.

“The polls do’t show a Stable Majority Right Now. If Mr. Merz Continues This Aggressive Migration Stance, It will trigger a political conflict, ”said Mr. Engler.

(Nimish sawant is an independent journalist based in Berlin)