Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) still sees a possibility for decisions on migration policy before the federal election. “My hand is out for common solutions” Scholz told the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger”. Bills for implementing the Common European Asylum System, expanding the powers of security authorities and reforming the Federal Police Act are “ready for a decision in the Bundestag” and could be passed before the federal election in the next parliamentary session.
So far, the CDU/CSU has blocked them. “Clear is: every agreement must be legally sustainable and decided from the democratic center” Scholz added, looking at the Union, which had recently submitted its own proposals to the parliament and accepted majorities with the AfD.
Scholz showed understanding for the mass protests of the past few days against this approach. “In the matter, Herr Merz and the CDU/CSU have broken a consensus that has always been maintained in German post-war democracy: no cooperation with extreme right-wing parties. That was a severe taboo break. Whoever does that cannot expect it not to be pointed out. And of course, many citizens are now asking themselves, with regard to Herr Merz, if they can still trust him?”
Scholz had already twice had Merz “abruptly end our conversation about a common asylum policy”. One must suspect that Merz never had a plan to seek a consensus on migration issues.
However, Scholz also made it clear about the form of the protests: “There must be no violence against politicians and election helpers in the election campaign. Already threatening gestures in front of an information stand or against party members who hang up posters and distribute flyers are attacks on democracy that can’t be simply dismissed.