Politicians from the Traffic Light Alliance expressed optimism about curbing illegal immigration to Germany following a meeting between the federal interior and justice ministers, state governments, mayors, and trade union representatives. Optimism was shared among federal leaders on addressing the migration issue.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU parliamentary group, stated that implementing the border rejection proposal is a prerequisite for further discussions. While campaigning for the CDU in Brandenburg, Merz remarked, “If the federal government fails to act on this, we will not engage in continued talks.” The CDU has accused the federal government of obstructing the border rejection plan, which the party views as a crucial measure for curbing illegal immigration.
Although no specific decisions were made during the meeting, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the discussions as serious and constructive, urging for continued dialogue and a swift exchange of ideas. Faeser emphasized the goal of taking a firm stance against illegal immigration, stating, “The next step involves a legal review of some of the points we discussed privately, followed by further deliberation. This is something we have agreed upon.”
The Social Democrats characterized the talks as “very constructive,” according to Daniela Behrens, Saxony’s interior minister and a member of the party. Behrens noted that the union took a very positive approach during the discussions and expressed “genuine hope” that comprehensive measures could be agreed upon with the broad backing of all democratic forces.
The German news agency DPA cited Union officials stating that the FDP and SPD are both prepared to take action on the migration issue, while the Greens have opted for a more cautious approach. According to the report, the Greens appear unenthusiastic about the border rejection proposal and have called on the federal government to clarify how the proposal aligns with legal standards.
The package of proposals under discussion centers around three key measures: increasing the deportation of rejected asylum seekers, combating Islamic terrorism, and tightening gun laws. Union representatives are calling for enhanced security measures to curb illegal immigration, while municipalities are pushing for stricter policies to reduce migration.
