A German political party, the FDP, has announced that it will delay a vote on the government’s migration law in the German parliament, the Bundestag. The FDP’s parliamentary group leader, Christian Dürr, stated that the party intends to send the law back to the interior committee, with the aim of finding a majority in the “democratic center” of the house in favor of the law by February 11, when the Bundestag reconvenes.
The FDP is not seeking changes to the law, according to Dürr, who claims that the law itself is “acceptable to all democrats in the house.” The law, known as the “Zustrombegrenzungsgesetz” aims to limit the family reunification of individuals who have been granted subsidiary protection in Germany. The law would also allow the federal police to detain and deport individuals who are deemed to be without a right to stay in the country.
The law has been criticized for its potential to lead to the deportation of individuals who may face persecution or violence in their home countries. The FDP’s decision to delay the vote has been seen as a move to put pressure on the government’s parliamentary groups and to potentially block the law’s passage.
The controversy surrounding the law has led to widespread protests, with over 80,000 people taking to the streets across Germany on Thursday. The protests are expected to continue over the weekend, with around 150 more demonstrations planned.
The dispute has also led to high-profile criticism, with former Chancellor Angela Merkel warning of the need for politicians to take responsibility and not to allow a “chance majority” with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Several high-profile figures, including a former head of the Central Council of Jews and a Holocaust survivor, have also spoken out against the law and the government’s handling of the issue.