The CDU/CSU faction is set to introduce a bill to regulate migration today. Initially, a majority of the Union, FDP, AfD and BSW seemed to be in favor of the law, with only the SPD, Greens and Left Party announcing their intention to reject it. However, according to BILD information, the majority is wavering, with too many dissenting voices within the FDP and Union, in addition to the opposition from the Red-Green block.
A roll-call vote is planned.
The session was interrupted at the very beginning on the CDU/CSU’s request for a 30-minute break. A crisis meeting was held at the Union. CDU leader Friedrich Merz met with SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich and FDP representatives.
FDP faction leader Christian Dürr stated that he would only allow a vote on the bill at the next Bundestag session on February 11.
SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich said, “If the FDP is now willing, along with the SPD, to ensure the prevention of a vote, we consider that a right step.”
A spokesperson addressed the visitors in the Bundestag, asking for patience, as two factions were in discussion and an end was not currently foreseeable.
On the session of the Union faction, Friedrich Merz expressed his views. According to Welt information, he said that the SPD and Greens were not willing to discuss the content of the bill. Merz added, “We must decide today.”
The AfD is convinced that the asylum crisis in the Bundestag is to its advantage, regardless of the outcome of the vote. The spokesperson for AfD candidate Alice Weidel, Daniel Tapp, said, “The AfD is the only faction that people can rely on. We stand by what we have announced.”
More crisis talks ensued. According to Welt, the faction leaders Friedrich Merz, Rolf Mützenich and Christian Lindner met, with Green faction leaders Britta Haßelmann and Katharina Dröge also attending the meeting in Merz’s office, as reported by dpa.
The SPD sees no progress. Fraktionsvize Dirk Wiese was quoted as saying, “Friedrich Merz has maneuvered the Union into a dead-end situation. Headless, planless and ruthless. CDU and CSU are facing a mess.”
The FDP faction is now retreating to an internal meeting. The plenum has cleared out.
The FDP stated that the SPD and Greens had blocked every compromise. The plenum will now enter the debate.
Bundestag Vice President Katrin Göhring-Echardt (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) announced at 2 pm that the session would continue.
SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich attributed the long interruption to the CDU.