Proposal to the SPD: Merz for border rejections "for a time"

Proposal to the SPD Merz for border rejections "for a limited time" 24.02.2025, 17:18

One day after its election victory, the Union is putting the issue of migration back on the table. After the heated argument about rejections at the borders, CDU leader Merz is proposing a time limit to the SPD. NRW Prime Minister Wüst is pushing for mass deportations by charter flight.

Before talks with the SPD about forming a government, CDU/CSU candidate for chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated his demand for rejections at the German borders, but that these should be time-limited. "For constitutional and European legal reasons, I believe it is possible and even necessary that we allow these rejections for a limited period in Europe, at the German borders." He hopes that the agreed common asylum policy in the EU will lead to common solutions from 2026. But that is 2026. "We cannot wait until then."

That is why he is sticking to his position: "It is urgently necessary that we do something." He is sure that the Social Democrats will not turn a blind eye to the fact "that we have to go down a common path here." Among other things, the SPD had made clear its concerns under European law about a de facto entry ban on irregular entry into Germany, including by people seeking protection, as called for by Merz during the election campaign. The CDU leader stressed: "None of us wants to close the borders." However, control over those who come into the country must be regained.

North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst called for a massive increase in the deportations of asylum seekers to other EU states in accordance with the Dublin rules. "We need full planes every week to take people to where they already have a right to an asylum procedure in Europe," the CDU politician told the "Rheinische Post".

Currently, countries are allowed to use a maximum of two charter flights per month for such return transfers. These restrictions must be removed, said Wüst. "In other words: more flights, larger quotas, faster procedures." If the law stipulates that a person must complete their asylum procedure in another safe country in Europe, then this must be implemented. According to the Interior Ministry, more than 40,000 planned transfers of asylum seekers to other EU states did not work out last year.

Don't let things continue at random

Wüst indirectly spoke out in favor of Germany taking a tougher stance in Europe. Germany must talk openly and seriously with its European partners about the issue of deportations. "This cannot be treated only marginally or shamefully ignored as it has been done so far." Many things are not working: external border protection, the registration of people in the countries of arrival and, last but not least, the Dublin procedure. "We cannot just let this continue at random."

After the federal election, which the Union clearly won, people wanted a change in policy, Wüst stressed. "Friedrich Merz will push for a change of course in migration, economic and security policy in the upcoming talks." Merz had announced rapid talks with the SPD about forming a new federal government.