In response to a deadly knife attack in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s conservative opposition, is advocating for significant changes to the nation’s border and asylum regulations. The incident, which resulted in the deaths of a two-year-old boy of Moroccan descent and a 41-year-old man, as well as several injuries, has raised alarms about national security and immigration policy.
Merz is positioning himself as a frontrunner ahead of the upcoming February elections, promoting a hardline stance on border controls that would effectively close Germany’s doors to irregular migrants, even those with asylum rights. This comes in the wake of the attack allegedly committed by a 28-year-old Afghan man, who had entered Germany last year and had a history of prior violence.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has joined Merz in condemning the attack, labeling it an "act of terror," although the specifics of any terrorist motive remain under investigation. Scholz has also pledged rapid governmental action to address the issue at hand. Merz emphasized that reforms would begin immediately if elected chancellor, asserting the need for the internal ministry to oversee border management closely.
He criticized a decade of what he termed "misguided asylum policies" and maintained that Germany has reached its capacity regarding immigration. Particularly contentious is his argument that EU asylum protocols are failing, urging a shift to prioritizing national laws regarding immigration.
Germany had notably embraced over a million refugees during the 2015-16 European migrant crisis under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Current discussions surrounding border control gains traction as both mainstream parties confront rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has rallied on the issue of immigration.
The AfD leader, Alice Weidel, is calling for immediate parliamentary action to close borders and prevent irregular migration, claiming that the knife attack must lead to decisive consequences. This scenario raises concerns among critics, who warn that the rightward shift of mainstream parties could further legitimize extremist parties like the AfD.
Political dynamics in Germany, however, complicate immediate implementation of such policies, as coalition governance is crucial. Liberal Democratic Party leader Christian Lindner indicated that far-right proposals might be unattainable in discussions with coalition partners like the Social Democrats or the Green Party. In the wake of this tragedy, the discourse on immigration and security will undeniably shape the political landscape as the elections near.
