Friedrich Merz, Germany’s Chancellor-in-waiting, has announced that once his government takes office, the refugee admission programme, including those for Afghans, will be suspended.
Merz also stated that, in coordination with neighbouring countries, Germany will reject asylum requests at shared borders.
On Saturday, 8 March, Merz, who won Germany’s parliamentary elections, said in a meeting with potential coalition partners that his government would take all legal measures to reduce illegal migration.
He confirmed that border controls would be tightened from the first day of the new administration. He also emphasised that migration restrictions would be included in residency laws.
Referring to refugee admission programmes, including those for Afghanistan, he said these must end.
Markus Söder, leader of Bavaria’s Christian Social Union (CSU), announced that deportation flights to Afghanistan and Syria would be organised. However, flights from Afghanistan to Germany would no longer take place.
German officials also stressed that family reunification programmes for those with subsidiary protection would be suspended.
During the meeting, officials also proposed allowing Federal Police to request temporary or pre-departure detention for asylum seekers required to leave Germany.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) also plan to examine whether individuals with dual citizenship could lose their German nationality if they are found to be extremist or antisemitic.
