A recent paper outlining the points of agreement between CDU/CSU and SPD on migration issues has sparked renewed debate. The topic of migration has resurfaced in recent days, fueled by a paper from the SPD’s AG Migration and Vielfalt, which proposes granting voting rights regardless of residency status and providing residence rights for those with a binding departure obligation.
Approximately 200,000 individuals in Germany currently fall under this category and the Scholz government had previously pledged to increase deportations. Aziz Bozkurt, the leader of the AG and a state secretary in the Berlin Senate, emphasized that the future government must “act as a catalyst for comprehensive reforms and social justice.”
Ralf Stegner, a member of the Verhandlungsgruppe “Inneres und Recht” also expressed a similar view, stating that the SPD will not engage in a “bidding war on shame” with regard to individuals who have arrived in Germany and committed no wrongdoing.
The statement aimed to caution against escalating conflicts with European neighbors, particularly in regards to planned pushbacks at the border. Poland, a major source of asylum seekers, has already announced that it will not accept back individuals who have already left the country. Poland is also planning to install anti-personnel mines along its eastern border, allegedly to deter the “Russian threat” but likely to target illegal migrants instead.
The SPD appears to be divided on this issue, with former party leader Sigmar Gabriel warning that reopening the migration package would be a “big mistake” and could lead to a loss of SPD voters to the far-right AfD.
Two state premiers from the CDU/CSU have thus far spoken out on the issue. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder stated that the sondierung remains in effect and will not be changed and that limiting migration is a central election promise for the Union.
Hessian Premier Boris Rhein echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to curb illegal migration and reminding the SPD of its poor election performance: “16.4% in a federal election is already a significant decline. I wouldn’t say they have too much self-confidence.”
Two weeks before the federal election, CDU leader Friedrich Merz stated that the current state of affairs at the German borders would be resolved from day one of his government, predicting internal conflicts within the Union if this promise is not fulfilled.