Migration expert Gerald Knaus has defended the refugee policies implemented under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, responding to recent criticism emanating from within her own party.
Speaking to the Handelsblatt, Knaus asserted that the core elements of Merkel’s approach following 2016 were fundamentally correct, citing the significant decline in refugee arrivals after the conclusion of the EU-Turkey agreement as evidence. He stated that Germany had effectively managed irregular migration during that period. He characterized recent comments by current CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who referenced Merkel’s famous “Wir schaffen das” (“We can do it”) slogan by suggesting it was an overestimation, as diminishing a demonstrable success and politically detrimental.
Knaus argued that the CDU’s distancing itself from its past policies risked allowing the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party to exploit subsequent incidents involving migrants to place blame on the CDU, potentially impacting future elections.
Regarding the current German government’s policies concerning border rejections of asylum seekers, Knaus expressed disagreement, suggesting that the efforts are disproportionate to their impact and potentially undermine European law. He questioned the justification offered by the government, calling it a “bluff” that would likely face legal challenges.
Knaus recommended that the current government prioritize secure third-country agreements as the key to a successful shift in migration policy, emphasizing their legality and effectiveness. He also stressed the importance of consistent deportations of convicted criminals.