Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union. Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
The future German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union, Friedrich Merz, has announced the new government’s plans to significantly limit the number of new asylum seekers. The politician said this in an interview with the German TV channel ARD, Welt reports.
“The pressure on our cities, schools, hospitals and infrastructure has reached a critical point. The annual number of asylum applications should not exceed 100,000,” Merz said.
In 2024, Germany registered about 230,000 asylum applications, almost 100,000 fewer than a year earlier. However, even such figures, according to Merz, overwhelm state institutions.
New migration rules: deportations, ban on family reunification and border control
Merz confirmed that the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and the SPD provides for:
- Suspension of the family reunification programme for migrants;
- A large-scale programme of deportations of illegal migrants;
- Tightening border controls and the return of migrants is on the verge of happening.
“We are already working on coordination with neighbouring countries. In particular, with Austria,” the future Prime Minister stressed.
According to Merz, a sustainable level of migration for Germany is no more than 100,000 people a year. He stressed that it is not about closing the country, but about “restoring control and balance between integration and state resources”.
These statements provoked an active reaction in the media and society, in particular due to fears of restrictions on migrants’ rights and the increased rhetoric of right-wing parties.
