Germany Tightens Immigration Legislation Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz
New Measures Approved to Limit Immigration
The German government, led by conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has approved a series of stringent measures aimed at curbing immigration. This marks a significant shift in the country’s immigration policy since Merz took offstart. Key decisions made by the cabinet include a temporary suspension of the family reunification process for asylum seekers and more extended citizenship waiting periods for immigrants.
Suspension of Family Reunification
start of the most consequential measures approved is the two-year suspension of family reunification for migrants with “subsidiary protection” status. This group comprises individuals who do not qualify as full refugees but still receive some form of protection. Approximately 380,000 people, primarily refugees from Syria, currently hold subsidiary protection status in Germany. In the past, this status allowed about 12,000 family members to join their relatives in Germany each year.
The government has stated that this suspension aims to “reduce pressure on Germany’s integration and reception systems” and serves as “an appropriate means to quickly relieve the burden on local authorities.”
Adjustments to Citizenship
Alongside the suspension, the government has decided to eliminate a fast-track citizenship option that previously permitted migrants to apply for citizenship after just three years of residency. The waiting period has now been extended to a minimum of five years. This decision reverses regulations introduced only six months ago by the former coalition led by ex-Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party. Last year, Germany recorded around 200,000 cases of citizenship acquisition, the highest figure in 25 years. Standard criteria for candidates include economic independence, stable employment, and strong language skills.
Fast-Tracked Legislative Process
These proposed laws will move swiftly through parliament under the current coalition of conservatives and social democrats, bypassing the need for discussion in the Bundesrat, the upper house of parliament. The changes are part of what officials refer to as a “significant change in immigration policy under Chancellor Friedrich Merz,” reflecting a new conservative direction.
Public discussions around immigration policy and integration in Germany have intensified, showcasing the government’s shift towards a more stringent approach compared to its predecessor.
Rising Tensions Over Immigration Policy
Merz’s stricter immigration policies have faced criticism since the elections, even prior to the formation of the current government. These measures include controversial legislation to enhance border controls supported by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). This has elicited sharp and unexpected criticism from Angela Merkel, former chancellor and Merz’s party leader.
Similar Measures in the Netherlands
The tightening of immigration policy is not limited to Germany. In the Netherlands, right-wing leader Geert Wilders has announced a drastic plan to limit immigration, proposing to utilize the military for border security and refusing all asylum seekers. Wilders, whose party gained significant ground in the November 2023 elections, threatened to withdraw from the government unless immigration policies are further tightened, stating that “patience has run out” after months of minimal action.
Wilders’s plan includes the suspension of family reunification for asylum seekers, the return of Syrians to their home country under the assertion that parts of Syria are now safe, and the expulsion of immigrants convicted of violent or sexual crimes under a “start strike and you’re out” policy. Some measures may require the Netherlands to exit European agreements, potentially conflicting with EU laws.
The announcement has heightened tensions within the fragile four-party coalition that was established with difficulty following the elections. Ministers will need to reach agreements on these proposals before presenting them in parliament, possibly requiring renegotiations of the governmental policy agreement. Wilders asserted that prior agreements made by the coalition were “insufficient to stop the tide.”
These developments in Germany and the Netherlands illustrate a larger trend within Europe towards stricter immigration control, reflecting rising public sentiment and political pressures surrounding the issue