Merkel Critiques CDU's Recent Political Maneuvers on Migration

Angela Merkel, the former leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) for 18 years, has distanced herself from the recent decisions made by her party concerning migration policies. In a recent statement, she emphasized the importance of adhering to suggested political agreements, particularly those made by Friedrich Merz, the current CDU leader.

On November 13, 2024, Merz proposed a collaborative approach with the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens to prevent the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) from gaining influence in parliamentary decisions. He advocated for a commitment to only bring forward legislation that had received prior agreement from these parties, thereby avoiding any potential cooperation with the AfD. Merkel expressed her full support for Merz's proposal at the time, praising it as a demonstration of significant state responsibility.

However, she has now criticized Merz for not adhering to this commitment when, on January 29, 2025, a CDU-backed motion allowed for a parliamentary majority that included support from the AfD. Merkel has stated that this shift is not only a deviation from Merz's earlier position but also undermines the integrity of democratic processes.

Merkel stressed the necessity for all democratic parties to work collaboratively beyond party lines, emphasizing the need for a responsible and civil approach to addressing migration issues. She called for discussions grounded in existing European law, aimed at preventing tragic incidents like the recent attacks in Magdeburg and Aschaffenburg.

The contentious proposal from the CDU outlines five key demands in response to a recent fatal stabbing incident in Aschaffenburg. These include the introduction of permanent border controls and strict measures against all forms of illegal immigration. The CDU seeks to establish a de facto ban on entry for individuals lacking valid travel documents and those not covered by European freedom of movement regulations.

Furthermore, the proposal mandates that individuals subject to deportation must be detained rather than released. It specifies that deportable offenders and potential threats should remain in indefinite detention until they voluntarily return to their country of origin or until their deportation can be executed. The proposal states that while voluntary return to their homeland is possible, re-entry into Germany would not be permitted.

During the vote on this proposal, which saw participation from 702 out of 733 parliamentarians, the outcome was narrow: 348 members voted in favor, while 344 opposed it, with ten abstaining. Among the CDU representatives, 187 of the 188 present supported the motion, with only Antje Tillmann voting against it. Notably, several key CDU figures, including Marco Wanderwitz, who has been vocal about banning the AfD, did not participate in the vote, highlighting a division within the party regarding the strategy to handle the situation.

Merkel's comments have been met with praise from both the SPD and the Greens. They have expressed gratitude for her willingness to speak out against the direction in which the CDU is heading. Prominent figures from these parties have noted that her remarks underscore the serious concerns regarding the CDU's alignment with the AfD.