A draft policy paper circulating within the CSU (Christian Social Union) parliamentary group, set to be discussed at their upcoming closed-door retreat in Seeon, Bavaria, is drawing sharp criticism from within the governing coalition and opposition parties. The document proposes a significantly hardened stance on migration, including a planned “large-scale deportation offensive” commencing in 2026 targeting Syrian refugees and potentially extending to Afghanistan. The proposals also advocate for stricter requirements for Ukrainian asylum seekers, particularly those of fighting age.
SPD (Social Democratic Party) Bundestag member Ralf Stegner swiftly condemned the proposal as “populist politics entirely lacking in substance” asserting that his party would not endorse such measures. He emphasized the SPD’s commitment to the existing coalition agreement with the CDU/CSU, which stipulates the “consistent return of offenders” as part of agreed-upon corrections to migration policy. However, Stegner stressed that this commitment does not necessitate abandoning humanitarian principles or engaging in a competition with right-wing populists for political gains.
The draft’s suggestion of deportations to war-torn Syria, coupled with the simultaneous expression of solidarity with Ukraine facing Russian aggression, has been deemed hypocritical by Stegner. He argued that such a strategy would primarily benefit far-right extremist groups and fundamentally contradict German values.
Sebastian Fiedler, another SPD interior policy spokesperson, echoed concerns about the timing and purpose of the proposed measures, noting that negotiations surrounding the implementation of the common European asylum system (Geas) are nearing completion. He questioned the utility of publicly emphasizing specific countries of origin at a time when significant efforts are already underway to implement the coalition agreement and the European system.
The Green Party has similarly voiced strong opposition. Interior policy spokesperson Marcel Emmerich warned that the CSU’s hardline approach risks undermining Germany’s economic future. He specifically highlighted the positive contributions Syrian migrants have made to the labor market, particularly in critical sectors and cautioned against reversing this positive trend. Emmerich pointed out that Syrian workers are employed in “systemically important shortage occupations” including nursing, construction, logistics, industry and skilled trades. He argued that deporting these individuals would deprive businesses of essential workforce, squander investment in integration programs and exacerbate existing labor shortages.
The CSU’s retreat in Seeon, taking place from January 6th to 8th, will see these proposals debated. The controversial document sparks renewed debate surrounding Germany’s migration policies, highlighting a growing tension between a perceived need for stricter border control and the broader humanitarian and economic considerations at play. The potential for further fracturing within the governing coalition remains a significant political risk.