Germany's incoming coalition government set to drastically tighten migration rules | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Koalitionsvertrag (Coalition Agreement)
• CDU (Christian Democratic Union)
• Sozialdemokraten (Social Democrats)
• Grenzkontrollen (Border Controls)
• Zurückweisungen (Rejections)
• Asylgesuche (Asylum Applications)
• Rückführungsoffensive (Repatriation Offensive)
• Freiwillige Aufnahmeprogramme (Voluntary Admission Programs)
• Familiennachzug (Family Reunification)
• Sichere Herkunftsstaaten (Safe Countries of Origin)
• Staatsbürgerschaftsrecht (Citizenship Law)
• Turboeinbürgerung (Accelerated Naturalization)
• Einwanderungsland (Immigration Country)
• Grundrecht auf Asyl (Basic Right to Asylum)

I. Migration Policy Tightening

The coalition agreement between the CDU and the Social Democrats in Germany signals a tightening of migration policies. CDU Leader Friedrich Merz, likely to be the next chancellor, presented the agreement, outlining several key changes.

II. Border Control and Asylum

• Border Controls and Rejections: The new government plans to implement controls at the national borders ("Kontrollen an den Staatsgrenzen") and rejections of asylum applications ("Zurückweisungen gegenüber Asylgesuchen"). This indicates a stricter approach to managing incoming migrants and asylum seekers.
• Repatriation Offensive: A "Rückführungsoffensive" (repatriation offensive) will be launched, suggesting increased efforts to deport individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected or who are residing in Germany illegally.

III. Admission Programs and Family Reunification

• End of Voluntary Admission Programs: The agreement includes ending "Freiwillige Aufnahmeprogramme" (voluntary admission programs). This implies a reduction in the number of migrants accepted through humanitarian or resettlement initiatives.
• Suspension of Family Reunification: "Familiennachzug aussetzen" (suspension of family reunification) is planned, which means restricting the ability of migrants already in Germany to bring their family members to join them.

IV. Safe Countries of Origin and Citizenship Law

• Expansion of Safe Countries of Origin: The number of "sichere Herkunftsstaaten" (safe countries of origin) will be significantly increased ("die Zahl der sicheren Herkunftsstaaten deutlich vergrößern"). This allows for faster processing and rejection of asylum claims from individuals originating from these designated countries.
• Changes to Citizenship Law: The "Staatsbürgerschaftsrecht" (citizenship law) will be amended. The "Turboeinbürgerung" (accelerated naturalization) after 3 years will be abolished ("die sogenannte Turboeinbürgerung nach 3 Jahren wird nicht mehr stattfinden"). The earliest possible naturalization will be possible after 5 years ("die frühstmögliche Einbürgerung erst nach 5 Jahren wieder möglich sein").

V. Germany as an Immigration Country

Despite the tightening of migration policies, the agreement acknowledges that "Deutschland ist und bleibt ein Einwanderungsland" (Germany is and remains an immigration country). It emphasizes that individuals who live and work in Germany, and who integrate into society, belong and should have the opportunity to obtain German citizenship ("wer hier lebt wer hier arbeitet wer sich integriert der gehört dazu und der soll auch die deutsche Staatsbürgerschaft bekommen können").

VI. Basic Right to Asylum

The agreement reaffirms that "das Grundrecht auf Asyl bleibt dabei unantastbar" (the basic right to asylum remains inviolable). This suggests that while the government intends to tighten migration policies, it will still uphold its legal obligations to protect individuals who genuinely qualify for asylum under international and national law.

VII. Synthesis/Conclusion

The coalition agreement between the CDU and the Social Democrats represents a shift towards stricter migration policies in Germany. While acknowledging Germany's status as an immigration country and upholding the basic right to asylum, the agreement introduces measures to control borders, reject asylum applications, increase repatriations, restrict family reunification, expand the list of safe countries of origin, and reform citizenship laws. The changes aim to manage migration more effectively and prioritize the integration of those who are already residing and contributing to German society.