Germany’s New Government to Intensify Migration Policy, Aim for Zero Illegal Migrants
The newly formed German government will continue to refine its migration policy, with the goal of reducing the number of illegal migrants to zero, according to Jens Spahn, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union’s (CDU) parliamentary group. Spahn, who has been dubbed “Germany’s black sheriff” for his tough stance on border control, emphasized that the government will not stand idly by as the mood in the country turns and political instability sets in.
Spahn stressed that the objective is to stop illegal and irregular migration, citing the high number of migrants as a major concern. “The goal is, of course, zero. What is illegal should not happen” he said. While achieving this goal may be challenging, the CDU politician believes that the current number of migrants is too high, putting a strain on local communities.
Spahn also criticized the current social benefits system, stating that it is unacceptable for migrants to have a social benefits claim from the moment they arrive in the country. He argued that this is a major issue for the majority of the population, including a significant number of Social Democratic Party (SPD) voters.
Spahn’s comments have been met with criticism from some quarters, with some accusing him of nationalism. In response, he emphasized that it is not national arrogance to recognize that Germany’s neighboring countries also have a strong interest in ending the “pull effect” of Germany’s migration policies in Europe. The CDU politician believes that the government’s migration policy should be judged not only by its domestic impact but also by its international implications.