As the federal elections approach in Germany, the immigration debate has gained prominence, becoming one of the key issues in the electoral campaign. Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the favorite to become the next German chancellor, has adopted an increasingly hardline stance on immigration policy. His recent statements indicate a commitment to tightening immigration laws and strengthening border control, as he seeks to consolidate his support among voters concerned with national security and stability.
In an exclusive interview with CNN, granted after the CDU convention in Berlin, Merz was unequivocal: “If elected, I will rigorously control Germany’s borders and ensure that those who enter without the proper documents are sent back.” This statement not only reflects an election strategy focused on security but also an attempt to reposition the CDU on a more conservative political spectrum after years of a more liberal immigration policy under Angela Merkel’s leadership.
Currently, the Union, made up of the CDU and the Christian Social Union (CSU), its Bavarian sister party, leads the polls with about 30% of voter intentions. This performance places Friedrich Merz in a privileged position in the race to succeed the current chancellor, Olaf Scholz, from the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Merz, a former executive at BlackRock and a licensed pilot, has leveraged his private sector experience as a differentiator, promoting an image of an efficient and determined manager. In recent months, he has focused his efforts on an immigration-centered agenda, presenting two bills aimed at restricting immigrant entry and accelerating deportation processes.
The first bill, known as the “Influx Limitation Act,” proposed stricter limits on the entry of refugees and undocumented immigrants, along with stricter guidelines for asylum grants. Despite its potential impact, the bill was rejected in the Bundestag, highlighting internal divisions within the CDU itself. Interestingly, some of Merz’s party members voted against the proposal, demonstrating the challenges of unifying the party around such a sensitive agenda.
On the other hand, a non-binding version of the bill was narrowly approved, with surprising support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Before the vote, Merz warned of the urgency of the issue: “We can still close the gates of hell together,” a statement that sparked significant reactions both inside and outside the parliament.
The immigration debate intensified after a series of violent attacks attributed to immigrants in recent months. In January, a tragic incident in Aschaffenburg resulted in the deaths of two people, including a two-year-old child, after an attack by an Afghan immigrant. Just before Christmas, six people were killed in Magdeburg when a Saudi-born immigrant drove a car into a Christmas market, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
These tragic events had a significant impact on public opinion, increasing pressure on political parties to adopt tougher measures on immigration. Merz, aware of this scenario, has used these cases to justify his proposal for stricter laws, arguing that the safety of the German population must be a priority.
Despite criticism over the failure of the more stringent bill, Merz does not place the blame on his party. Instead, he points the finger at the SPD, Olaf Scholz’s party. “This legislation was something we had agreed upon with the Social Democrats back in 2018, during our coalition government. It was part of their program, so in my opinion, they should have supported what we proposed,” Merz told CNN. He also suggested that the SPD might reconsider its position after the elections.
However, the most controversial moment of the campaign came when Merz declared that he would not mind if the AfD voted in favor of his immigration proposals. Despite categorically stating that there would be no direct cooperation with the far-right, the AfD’s support for passing the non-binding legislation sparked massive protests in several German cities. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to express their outrage at what they considered an unacceptable rapprochement with extremism.
Merz attempted to contain the damage by reiterating his rejection of the AfD: “They are against everything we have built in the Federal Republic of Germany. There is no cooperation with this party,” he said firmly.
In addition to domestic issues, Friedrich Merz also addressed foreign policy topics, emphasizing the importance of trade relations with the United States and continued support for Ukraine. In light of the possibility of former President Donald Trump being re-elected and imposing new tariffs on the European Union, Merz stated that any retaliation would be handled at the European level. “The United States is the EU’s second-largest trading partner, and we will respond in a coordinated manner within the bloc,” he declared.
Trump recently referred to the European Union as an “atrocity” and suggested that the bloc takes advantage of the U.S., reigniting trade tensions. Merz reminded that during Trump’s first term, the EU quickly negotiated the end of imposed tariffs, demonstrating the efficiency of European diplomacy.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to defending the country invaded by Russia. He argued that Germany should continue fulfilling its NATO promise to allocate at least 2% of its GDP to defense spending. “We are standing with Ukraine because this aggression is not just against them, but against all of us,” he stated.
On strategies to end the conflict, Merz highlighted the importance of cooperation with the United States but expressed uncertainty about American plans. “We still don’t know exactly what the U.S. government’s intentions are. I would like to better understand their strategies,” he said.
Friedrich Merz’s discourse on immigration and security reflects a transforming Germany, where concerns about internal stability, foreign policy, and national identity are at the heart of the debate. Although he leads the polls, the path to the chancellorship is fraught with challenges, including the need to balance a firm stance on immigration with the commitment to keep Germany distant from political extremes. The election outcome will determine not only the future of the CDU but also Germany’s role in an increasingly polarized and complex world.
