A deep rift is emerging within Germany’s ruling coalition, with a prominent Social Democrat (SPD) parliamentarian publicly questioning the government’s increasingly restrictive migration policies and revealing she considered resigning her seat over them. Rasha Nasr, the SPD’s spokesperson for migration policy in the Bundestag, articulated a profound sense of disillusionment in a recent interview with “Der Spiegel”, painting a picture of internal pressure and ethical conflicts that threaten to destabilize the fragile black-red coalition.
Nasr stated she contemplated relinquishing her parliamentary mandate last year, driven by a growing feeling that her efforts were solely focused on combating counterproductive policies rather than enacting meaningful change. While admitting she ultimately opted to remain, believing it would be “wrong” to abandon her role during a challenging period, her candid remarks expose a deep-seated ideological struggle brewing within the SPD.
The decision by the coalition government to suspend family reunification rights has been a particularly contentious point for Nasr. She expressed significant personal anguish regarding the policy, highlighting the stark contrast between her own experiences as a mother and the forced separation of families under the new regulations. “I cry when I don’t see my daughter for a few days and then I vote for other families to be separated” she stated, suggesting the policy’s human cost weighs heavily on her conscience.
Critically, Nasr alleges she succumbed to political pressure during the vote on the suspension, ultimately adopting a position she now regrets. She claims she was persuaded to support the measure out of fear that rejecting it would necessitate relying on the votes of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Nasr’s frustration is palpable: “I should have said: If we are afraid of getting a majority with the AfD, then it is probably simply a dreadful law”. Her admission raises serious questions about the ethical compromises made within the government and the influence of political expediency on policy decisions.
Perhaps most damningly, Nasr described the government’s decision to grant the federal government sole authority to designate countries as “safe origin states” as “total rubbish” a phrase signaling a complete rejection of a key element of their migration strategy. This stark condemnation underscores the extent of the internal dissent and casts a shadow over the coalition’s ability to effectively manage the politically sensitive issue of immigration.
The revelations from Nasr’s statement represent a significant challenge for Chancellor Scholz and the SPD, potentially triggering a renewed debate within the party and straining relations with the Green Party, coalition partners who were also involved in the policy decisions now being publicly questioned. The incident highlights a growing vulnerability for the government, exposing the risk of internal fractures as they navigate increasingly complex and controversial political terrain.