Germany: A Longstanding Immigration Country but with Control Priorities
According to Union’s Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, Germany has long been an immigration country. The prosperity of many regions would not have been possible without immigrants, Merz stated before hundreds of attendees at a CDU campaign event in Neubrandenburg. "However, the question is what kind of immigration we want. We must allow immigration into our labor market, while drastically reducing immigration into our social welfare systems."
Despite the criticism he has faced following the Bundestag vote on his migration proposals, Merz stands by his stance. In a vote on a Union motion in late January, the AfD also voted in favor, providing a majority. Merz emphasized that his objective was not to build a firewall, but rather to prevent a fire behind the wall from spreading throughout Germany.
In front of the event venue, Haus der Bildung und Kultur in Neubrandenburg’s city center, several groups gathered, protesting against Merz and the Union’s policies with music and chants. Earlier, Merz had visited a Caritas nursing home accompanied by Member of the Bundestag Philipp Amthor and CDU state chairman Daniel Peters, where he interacted with caregivers and greeted residents.
A recent poll conducted by YouGov indicates that the Union remains ahead one and a half weeks before the Bundestag elections. As in the previous week, 29 percent of respondents stated their intention to vote for the CDU/CSU, while the SPD currently stands at 16 percent, a two percent point decrease. The AfD holds steady at 21 percent, a one percent point decline. The Greens remain at 12 percent.
The Left Party maintains its six percent share from the previous week, meeting the threshold for representation in the Bundestag. Sahra Wagenknecht’s coalition (BSW) loses one point, landing at a precarious five percent. The FDP remains unchanged at four percent, below the five percent hurdle.
Merz’s Migration Stance
Merz’s migration proposals have sparked significant debate in Germany. The central tenet of his approach is to differentiate between labor market immigration and immigration into social welfare systems. While he supports facilitating immigration into the labor market, particularly in sectors facing acute labor shortages, he is adamant about reducing immigration into social welfare systems.
Critical Reception and AfD Support
Merz’s proposals have faced criticism from both the left and the right. Critics argue that his distinction between labor market and social welfare immigration is artificial and impractical. They also contend that reducing immigration into social welfare systems would harm vulnerable individuals who rely on those systems.
Furthermore, the fact that the AfD voted in favor of Merz’s motion has raised concerns about potential links between the Union and the far-right party. Merz has dismissed these concerns, maintaining that he seeks cooperation with any party that shares his goals, regardless of its political affiliation.
Public Opinion and Election Outlook
According to the YouGov poll, the Union maintains its lead in public opinion, though the SPD has narrowed the gap slightly. The AfD and the Greens are neck-and-neck, while the Left Party and the BSW hover close to the five percent threshold. The FDP remains below the hurdle.
As the election draws near, it remains to be seen whether Merz’s migration proposals will resonate with voters. The Union’s ability to form a government may hinge on its ability to persuade undecided voters that its approach to immigration strikes the right balance between protecting German society and embracing the benefits of diversity.
