A leading figure within the German Green Party has urged Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz to rein in Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, following the minister’s recent actions regarding asylum seekers and proposed negotiations with the Taliban.
Konstantin von Notz, Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair of the Greens, voiced his concerns in a statement to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, highlighting the potential damage Dobrindt’s unilateral approach is causing to Germany’s international standing. He specifically referenced Dobrindt’s recent, uncoordinated policy of border rejections of asylum seekers, which he said had already provoked reactions from European partners.
Von Notz expressed further alarm at Dobrindt’s declared intention to engage in discussions with the Taliban regarding the deportation of convicted criminals and individuals deemed security risks. This move, he argues, represents a breach of international consensus against direct engagement with the regime and implicitly recognizes it.
The Green Party politician underscored the controversial nature of Dobrindt’s intended contact, noting that the Taliban’s radical Islamist leadership is condemned by the international community. He drew attention to the fact that the Afghan Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani – Dobrindt’s planned counterpart – is a wanted individual with a US $10 million reward offered by the FBI for his involvement in terrorist activities and indirect responsibility for the deaths of German soldiers in Afghanistan. The fact that Russia is now recognizing the Taliban regime, von Notz added, further illustrates the problematic company Dobrindt is associating with.
Von Notz questioned whether Dobrindt had consulted with the Foreign Office regarding his proposal and noted that criticism has also emerged from within the Social Democratic Party (SPD). He concluded by emphasizing the need for Chancellor Merz to intervene and curtail his minister’s actions to prevent further damage to Germany’s reputation globally.
The announcement of Dobrindt’s intention, which includes a planned deportation flight to the Hindu Kush negotiated with Qatar, was initially made in an interview with the magazine Focus.