Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has sharply criticized CDU Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz in the debate on migration policy.
Merz’s five-point plan, which includes permanent border closures and rejections, is doomed to fail, Scholz told the “Handelsblatt”(Monday edition). Irregular migration cannot be limited by bold statements, but only by a better protection of the European external borders and cooperation within the EU. “What the CDU leader proposes is in conflict with our constitution, the Basic Law and the European treaties. Such a maxim does not demonstrate statesmanship”Scholz said further.
When asked if Merz was betraying the tradition of the Union as a European and constitutional party, Scholz replied, “If you put it that way: Yes.”Unlike Merz, Scholz will not present a new security package before the election. “With our regulations, we have reached the limit of what the Basic Law and European law permit”Scholz said. The implementation of the new European asylum system is pending in the Bundestag.
Furthermore, security laws that the Bundesrat is blocking could be newly decided in the Bundestag in a way that the states can no longer block them, Scholz said. The responsible officials in the states must also make use of the new possibilities. “As the Bavarian Minister President does it, that’s not the way it is, at least”Scholz said, looking at CSU leader Markus Söder. “His work is not done if he gives a bold interview on Sundays.