German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared in a government statement that the federal government views the right to migration as an integral part of German law and values. This declaration came in response to the government’s efforts to address irregular migration. It followed the Bundestag’s approval of a proposal from the Christian Democrats (CDU) faction aimed at tightening migration policy. The proposal is scheduled for a vote in the Bundesrat as a draft law, which means the government will be required to implement it if passed.
The statement also addressed the legislation introduced by the federal government to tackle the migration crisis. This includes legal changes that have enabled German authorities to control migration flows, tighten asylum laws, and make them more complex, as well as expand deportation operations.
Furthermore, Scholz emphasized the need for greater social cohesion in Germany, stating, “We must not allow anyone to sow division among us.” This remark referred to the actions of Friedrich Merz, the CDU faction’s candidate for chancellor, whose migration proposal garnered majority support in the Bundestag with backing from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Scholz had previously released a government statement in response to the Aschaffenburg attack, reaffirming that the right to asylum is integral to German law and values and should not be contested. This statement was viewed as the government’s answer to far-right demands for the expulsion of migrants.
Additionally, Scholz highlighted Germany’s unique responsibility in safeguarding refugees, declaring, “The right to asylum is a direct response to the atrocities of Nazi rule. During that period, German and European Jews were denied entry at foreign borders. The lesson we learned from history is that this must never occur again. Germany, in particular, must ensure that history does not repeat itself.”
The statement also discussed the federal government’s efforts to manage migration, emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement of immigration and asylum laws across the country. This approach aims to mitigate risks, facilitate deportations, and safeguard the public from dangerous individuals.
Scholz discussed new legislative proposals set for voting in the Bundestag and Bundesrat that aim to enhance internal security. These proposals include broadening the powers of security authorities and permitting online biometric data matching. He also highlighted the necessity of incorporating the European asylum reform system into national legislation, stating, “This way, we can effectively address one of the biggest flaws in the Dublin system in the future. We have fought for these concessions for many years, and obtaining others’ approval has been a hard-won success.”
Finally, Scholz emphasized the significance of social cohesion, stating, “Nearly one-third of Germany’s population has a migrant background. Many of these individuals live in fear of being unjustly suspected of wrongdoing, yet they face hatred and violence, just like the rest of us. Among the victims in Aschaffenburg were a young boy from Morocco and a young girl from Syria. This is why we must not permit anyone to sow division among us.”
