Federal Police Ready to Implement Merz's Border Plans

The incoming German government is preparing to enact a new immigration policy under the leadership of Friedrich Merz, who is set to assume the chancellorship on May 6. Merz's strategy focuses on strict measures at the country's borders, aiming to reject all individuals attempting illegal entry into Germany. The Federal Police have expressed their readiness to implement this course of action from day one.

Manuel Ostermann, the deputy chairman of the Federal Police Union (DPolG), stated that the police can begin detaining and returning individuals immediately. He emphasized that the officers are prepared and waiting for the orders to proceed. Ostermann believes that this approach will alleviate some of the pressure on the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.

Ostermann further articulated that if the Merz administration fails to initiate these changes on the first day, it would indicate a significant failure on his part, as he would have misled the public. He estimated that the financial requirements to support such a policy shift, including necessary legal frameworks and additional resources, would amount to approximately 800 million euros.

Thorsten Frei, Merz's designated head of the Chancellery, reiterated the government's commitment to fulfilling its campaign promises without delay. He warned that anyone attempting to enter Germany illegally would face immediate consequences at the border starting May 6, and he also mentioned plans for regular deportation flights to countries such as Syria and Afghanistan.

While the legal basis for these measures may be contentious, figures like Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann view the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD as a solid foundation for reducing asylum seekers in the short term. The agreement states that returns will be coordinated with neighboring European countries and emphasizes that no new federal intake programs will be established. It also includes provisions to suspend family reunifications for individuals with limited protection status for a minimum of two years.

However, the proposal to turn away asylum seekers at the borders, even those without a travel ban, has raised eyebrows in neighboring countries. Herrmann dismissed concerns that coordination with neighboring states might slow the implementation of these policies. He argued that each country has the sovereignty to determine its border entry criteria, and he believes that EU nations also desire a decrease in refugee numbers.

Merz himself has indicated that discussions with European partners are ongoing, aiming for a collaborative approach to manage border control and asylum policies. In the previous year, Germany received approximately 229,751 initial asylum applications, which represented a decline of about 100,000 applications compared to the previous year.

On the EU level, reforms to the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) are under consideration, which may further tighten existing agreements. Currently, the focus is on whether to eliminate the connection clause that allows asylum seekers to be sent back only to countries where they have personal ties. The coalition agreement signals Germany's intent to advocate for this change at the European level, although finding other nations willing to accept significant numbers of asylum seekers remains a challenge.