BERLIN – Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, has touted the achievements of the outgoing government in curbing irregular immigration, highlighting an increase in deportations and a decline in asylum claims. Faeser, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), remains as acting minister while her party negotiates a coalition agreement with the election-winning conservatives, with immigration being the key point of contention.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU), who won the February 23 election but with a less-than-expected 28.5% of the vote, has made immigration a central issue in his campaign. He has pledged to implement stricter border controls, including turning away people with improper documentation. However, the SPD opposes this hardline stance, arguing that it violates European Union law.
“Migration policy isn’t a matter for jokers, but a serious management task,” Faeser asserted in a statement on Tuesday, claiming that the government under Chancellor Olaf Scholz had successfully reduced irregular migration.
Faeser pointed to statistics showing a halving of asylum claims in the past two years, a 55% increase in the repatriation of people illegally present in Germany, and a 77% rise in the number of skilled workers immigrating legally. “The numbers speak for themselves,” she said. “Today, we are a country that invests more in integration and is more attractive to talented and qualified workers from all over the world.”
Discussions between the SPD and CDU are ongoing, with both parties acknowledging that initial drafts for a new government program are far from finalized. Merz has expressed his goal of forming a new government by Easter.
The two parties remain divided on immigration. The CDU seeks broader powers to expel migrants and increase border controls, while the SPD prioritizes migrant integration and efforts to recruit skilled workers to address labor shortages in Germany’s industries.
Concerns about the potential softening of migration policies under the new government have led to a rise in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Since the election, the AfD has gained three percentage points in the polls, while the CDU has lost three. A series of high-profile street attacks during the campaign, some of which were blamed on foreigners illegally in Germany, fueled an intense debate over migration that dominated the election.
Faeser urged for a measured approach to the migration debate, emphasizing the need to treat the issue with respect for the people involved. “We must carry out the migration debate without rancor, always in the awareness that we’re talking about people here,” Faeser stated.
If a coalition between the SPD and CDU materializes, Faeser could remain as Interior Minister or take on another senior cabinet role in the new government.
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