Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) stated that despite declining migration figures, his party will continue to uphold border controls throughout Germany. During an appearance on ARD’s “Report from Berlin” on Sunday, Dobrindt emphasized the current necessity of maintaining these checks and noted that deportations are still routine. He cited the execution of 8,000 warrants at the border as evidence of ongoing operations. While the federal government’s medium-term goal is to ensure the European migration system is functional enough to eventually allow them to phase out border controls, he warned that it is premature to pinpoint a specific timeframe for this development.
Regarding deportations to Afghanistan, Dobrindt confirmed that the government intends to continue this practice, even if it requires prior direct discussions with representatives of the Taliban. When criticized over this position, Dobrindt questioned the opposition’s stance, arguing that those who suggest deporting criminals, serious offenders, rapists, or killers to Afghanistan must also consider whether Germany would remain a safe country if these individuals were allowed to stay.
Turning to political disagreements, Dobrindt cautioned against moving from substantive policy debates to a climate of retrenchment, specifically referencing SPD leader Bärbel Bas’s characterization of cuts to the social safety net as “inhuman and cynical”. He criticized the SPD’s activities related to May 1st, stating that such events are akin to “Ash Wednesday” for the CSU, a point he said should be viewed in context. He stressed that the focus afterward must be on working together in a sensible and trusting manner. This cooperation requires various differing elements to be actively discussed, even if some parts are later discarded, ultimately leading to the establishment of common ground. He concluded by noting that a labor market reform project is still on the agenda for an upcoming coalition committee meeting.