Germany's new government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has announced a significant tightening of its immigration policies. The key measure is the rejection of most asylum seekers at the border, a move aimed at reducing irregular migration and countering the growing influence of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt ordered border police to reject undocumented migrants, including asylum seekers, with exceptions made only for vulnerable groups. This reverses a 2015 directive implemented during the height of the European migration crisis. The government plans to increase border police personnel by 2,000-3,000, requiring officers to work extended shifts.
The government's goal is to reduce illegal migration and asylum applications while upholding order and humanity in the process. It also aims to prevent overburdening neighboring countries.
This policy is partly a response to the AfD's electoral success and increasing popularity. The coalition agreement between Merz's CDU/CSU and the SPD supports this approach, though some within the SPD have raised concerns about its compatibility with EU law.
Merz's campaign strongly emphasized a crackdown on irregular immigration, and he had previously relied on AfD support for immigration-related motions, triggering criticism. The AfD's rise is partly linked to recent violent incidents attributed to foreign nationals.
The domestic intelligence agency (BfV) recently labeled the AfD a right-wing extremist organization based on evidence of continuous agitation against migrants, refugees, and Muslims, leading to calls for a ban on the party. The AfD is legally challenging this designation.