Following the announcement by federal interior minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) that he intends to maintain border controls, the SPD maintains that such measures should only be temporary. Sebastian Fiedler, the SPD parliamentary spokesperson for domestic policy, told “Welt” that while internal border checks can be useful in specific situations, they cannot become a permanent arrangement. He argued that the deployed personnel should therefore be gradually reduced and replaced with significantly smarter, situation-based controls. For him, the priority must be to strengthen European solutions while intelligently balancing national measures.
Dobrindt had previously informed the “Rheinische Post” of his desire to keep border controls in place, even amid the current absence of refugee movements into Germany following the Iran conflict.
Fiedler further stated that there is a “real security problem at train stations and on trains” emphasizing that everyday safety stems not primarily from border checks, but rather from the presence and staffing levels where people are traveling. He stressed the urgent need for staffing increases in these areas.
Dobrindt is receiving support from the Union. Alexander Throm, the CDU parliamentary spokesperson for domestic policy, told “Welt” that the migration shift is no longer just a promise, but an ongoing reality. He stated that it is now crucial to secure this policy direction permanently and safeguard Germany and Europe against potential new migration pressures. Throm argued that this requires protecting the EU’s external borders and implementing the Common European Asylum System. However, he asserted that as long as central rules-particularly concerning the Dublin Regulation-are not reliably enforced, internal border controls remain necessary, noting that this approach was agreed upon in the coalition agreement.
Conversely, the AfD finds the black-red measures insufficient. The party demands the withdrawal of all protection statuses for Syrians in Germany following the change of regime in Syria and the deportation of non-naturalized citizens. Gottfried Curio, the AfD parliamentary spokesperson for domestic policy, told “Welt” that the reduced pressure from new Syrian asylum arrivals is attributable to this regime change, and in no way, contrary to Dobrindt’s suggestions, does it reflect any activity by the federal government. Curio claimed that the border controls exhibit “complete ineffectiveness” alleging that “Dobrindt and Merz are deliberately attempting to deceive the German electorate about the complete absence of a migration shift”.
The Left party, meanwhile, has “significant legal doubts” regarding internal border controls. Clara Bünger, deputy head of the Left party, stated to “Welt” that Dobrindt is operating illegally if he permits the blanket rejection of asylum seekers at the borders, noting that courts have already clarified this. She claimed that such policies place “enclosure above the rule of law” and argued that even deportations to Afghanistan should be rejected due to the Taliban’s rule. Bünger accused Dobrindt of “copying the politics of the AfD” and thereby strengthening the right-wing populist party. Instead, she insisted that a focus should be placed on “the everyday problems of people”. In migration policy, she argued that the black-red parties should strengthen “legal pathways, participation, and regularization” rather than operating through “fear, enclosure, and authoritarian rhetoric”.