Friedrich Merz. Photo: GLOBAL LOOK PRESS.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) opposition bloc in Germany and a favourite for the post of chancellor, has called for tighter controls at the EU’s borders to prevent supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from entering Europe. This was reported by the dpa news agency on Saturday.
Merz said that the European Union must act quickly and together to prevent allies of the Syrian regime from crossing the border.
“We Europeans must quickly ensure that the Assad regime’s accomplices do not enter Europe and Germany undetected under the guise of asylum seekers,” the politician said in an interview with the Rheinische Post published on Friday.
Proposals for a stricter border policy
Merz stressed the need to introduce strict border checks within the EU. He also supported the idea of preventing certain people from entering Germany.
“After the elections, we need a stricter border regime, which we will introduce and enforce,” he said.
The German parliamentary elections are due to take place on 23 February, and many analysts predict significant changes in migration policy if Merz wins.
Syrian refugees: different approaches
When asked how his government would deal with Syrians who have been living in Germany for many years, Merz replied:
“Many of them will voluntarily want to return to their country. Others will stay because they work here and have become German citizens. Those who don’t want to integrate will have to return to Syria when their protection status expires.”
The current chancellor, Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, has repeatedly stated that Syrians who have integrated well in Germany will not be forcibly returned to Syria.
Merz’s policy demonstrates a much tougher approach, which could affect immigration sentiment in the country and the future of Germany’s relations with other EU countries.
