The conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, is advocating for sweeping changes to Germany’s immigration and asylum laws following a deadly knife attack in Aschaffenburg that left two dead, including a young boy of Moroccan descent. The attack, which saw several others injured, was allegedly perpetrated by a 28-year-old Afghan man who had previously faced violence-related accusations and had recently been advised to leave Germany.
Merz, positioning himself to lead the country after the federal elections scheduled for February 23, emphasized the need for Germany to effectively close its borders to all irregular migrants, even those entitled to protection. He described the current asylum policies as "misguided" and argued for a reclamation of national sovereignty over immigration issues, particularly criticizing the existing EU asylum regulations as failing. On the day following the incident, both Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Merz called for urgent measures, with Scholz labeling the attack as an "act of terror," despite no terrorist motives being established by authorities.
The Afghan suspect had arrived in Germany in 2022 and was under psychiatric treatment when he was involved in the stabbings, which raised alarms on previous violent incidents linked to him. Merz promised that as chancellor, he would direct the interior ministry to tighten control over Germany’s borders from day one, indicating a strong commitment to revisiting the asylum policies enacted during Angela Merkel's tenure when Germany accepted over a million refugees during the 2015-16 migrant crisis.
Critics within the political landscape raised concerns about the timing and approach of this tougher stance, suggesting that it might be a political maneuver aimed at countering the far-right messages from parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has gained traction by opposing immigration. Nancy Faeser, the current interior minister, cautioned against using such a grave situation for political gain, warning that it could further empower right-wing populism.
While Merz's proposals align with hardline immigration policies, the feasibility of enforcing these changes is questionable, particularly if he were to form a governing coalition with more centrist parties like the Social Democrats or the Greens. As public sentiments remain heightened following this latest tragedy, Germany's political environment is poised for intense scrutiny and debate leading up to the elections.
