German Opposition Leader Proposes Stricter Border Controls Following Tragic Knife Attack

Mon Oct 20 2025 03:34:15 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the wake of a fatal knife attack in Bavaria, Friedrich Merz has vowed to reassess Germany's border and asylum regulations, igniting a debate on immigration policy ahead of upcoming elections.

Following a deadly knife attack that claimed the lives of a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man in Aschaffenburg, Friedrich Merz, a leading candidate for Germany’s chancellorship, has pledged to implement strict border controls. The Afghan suspect linked to the attack highlights ongoing concerns regarding violence associated with asylum seekers, prompting reactions from Chancellor Olaf Scholz and sounding alarms within the political landscape as elections approach.

In a devastating incident in Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, a knife attack resulted in the tragic deaths of a two-year-old boy of Moroccan descent and a 41-year-old man, with several others injured. The attack has sparked significant political ramifications ahead of the German federal elections scheduled for February 23rd. Friedrich Merz, the conservative opposition leader and potential successor to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has taken a hardline stance, promising to shut Germany's borders to irregular migrants, including those entitled to protection.

The suspect, an Afghan man aged 28, is accused of murder and grievous harm and was reportedly linked to previous violent incidents. While he had been ordered to leave Germany last month, he remained in asylum accommodation due to ongoing psychiatric treatment. Although Chancellor Scholz referred to the attack as an "act of terror," officials have not confirmed any terrorist motivations.

Merz criticized the current state of asylum and immigration policies, claiming, "We see before us the ruins of 10 years of misguided asylum and immigration policy in Germany." He emphasized the need for the interior ministry to take immediate control of the borders on his first day as chancellor, referencing the significant influx of over a million refugees during Angela Merkel's administration in 2015-16.

While both Merz and Scholz's positions are evolving, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has capitalized on growing concerns over immigration, echoing calls for immediate border closures. AfD leader Alice Weidel labeled the Aschaffenburg knife attack a catalyst for change in immigration policy, urging legislative action.

However, Merz's promises may face obstacles as he must navigate the complexities of coalition politics. Critics caution that the shift to stricter immigration policies could ultimately empower right-wing populism rather than quell it. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned against politicizing the tragedy for election gain, stating that it would only benefit extremist viewpoints.

As the political landscape shifts amidst tragedy, the aspirations for a new direction in Germany's handling of immigration and asylum will undoubtedly be a central theme in the upcoming elections.