German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned CDU leader Friedrich Merz against pursuing a migration policy that goes against national and European laws.
Speaking in Berlin on Tuesday evening, Scholz emphasized the importance of upholding the German constitution, laws and European Union treaties. He criticized the CDU’s plans for permanent border controls, saying that neighboring countries would not support such measures. The Chancellor also referred to the Austrian government’s criticism of Merz’s proposals.
Scholz emphasized the need for a jointly agreed approach in Europe, citing the Common European Asylum System (GEAS) as an example. The German government aims to pass the national implementation of GEAS in the parliament before the upcoming federal election, but the CDU has so far refused to give its consent.
In a statement addressing the upcoming votes on Merz’s proposals, Scholz expressed his concern that a black-yellow majority might emerge in the next Bundestag. He described the CDU’s willingness to implement its plans with the support of the AfD as “shocking”. The AfD announced on Tuesday that it would support the CDU/CSU motions.