- Details
- Politics
Germany’s Merz Echoes Trump’s Migration Policy in Call for Immigration Crackdown
BERLIN, Jan. 23 – CDU leader Friedrich Merz has vowed to implement a "de facto entry ban" for illegal immigrants if he becomes Germany’s next chancellor, drawing parallels to the hardline migration policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Merz said he would take swift action on his first day in office, regardless of coalition constraints, to address what he described as Germany’s "state of lawlessness."
Speaking at an urgently convened press conference following a violent attack in Aschaffenburg, Merz condemned the current state of migration enforcement. The attack, allegedly committed by a 28-year-old asylum seeker, left a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man dead, with two others seriously injured. The suspect, who was reportedly slated for deportation or detention, was arrested at the scene.
"The situation is beyond unacceptable," Merz said, calling the crime a symptom of "a completely unhinged level of brutality in our society" that he is unwilling to tolerate. "We are facing a shattered system."
A First-Day Mandate
Merz pledged to issue an immediate directive to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, leveraging his chancellor’s authority to enforce strict migration controls. He emphasized that his measures would be non-negotiable, irrespective of the political affiliations of the interior minister in a future coalition government.
"Enough is enough," he declared. "Germany needs a reset in migration policy to restore order."
This approach echoes Trump’s decision to declare a border emergency with Mexico on his first day back in office. Merz’s rhetoric signals a potential shift toward similar uncompromising policies in Germany, a stance likely to polarize voters in the lead-up to the next federal elections.
Migration Debate Intensifies
Merz’s comments come amid heightened tensions in Germany over migration policy. Critics argue that the country’s asylum system is overstretched and enforcement of deportation orders is inconsistent. The Aschaffenburg attack has reignited debates about the balance between humanitarian responsibility and public safety.
While Merz's proposal is likely to resonate with parts of Germany’s conservative electorate, it may face significant opposition from progressive parties and human rights advocates, who warn against knee-jerk policy shifts that could undermine Germany’s commitment to international asylum conventions.
As Germany braces for a possible CDU-led government, Merz’s uncompromising stance signals that migration will remain a central and divisive issue in the nation’s political discourse.
- Details
- News Team
- Hits: 271