Merz:_"The Federal Chancellor is no longer holding onto his nation's control"
A planned encounter between CDU chairman Merz and Chancellor Scholz transformed into a crucial session after the terror incident in Solingen. Merz is urging Scholz to collaborate on altering migration policy - defying coalition partners.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz suggested a joint initiative to considerably decrease unlawful immigration, thereby challenging the coalition on this matter. Merz mentioned that this could be achieved collaboratively with receptive coalition partners or even solely by Christian Democrats and Social Democrats, both having a significant majority in the Bundestag.
Merz clarified that this proposal stems from his profound concern for the nation, claiming that Chancellor Scholz is losing control of the country and public trust. Citizens believe that political leaders, specifically Scholz and him, should address problems and not merely describe them. Merz insists that the persistent unlawful influx of migrants into Germany needs to be dramatically reduced. He acknowledges that his party, the CDU/CSU, shares responsibility for the escalation of unlawful migration in Germany.
"National emergency"
Merz advocated for asylum seekers to be denied entry at the German border. In his opinion, this can be legally permissible since all of them have already passed through at least one safe country of origin, meaning they have transversed "at least one country more than necessary" according to EU regulations. He suggested that if there are actually issues with EU law, they must either be revised or justify declaring a "national emergency" under EU treaties.
Precisely, Merz proposed to Scholz to promptly convene a vote in the Bundestag on urgent legislative alterations. Before that, one person each from the government and the Union should specify the respective legal areas. Merz named the Residence Act, Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, and the Federal Police Act as areas under consideration. He assigned the Union's parliamentary business manager, Thorsten Frei, as the negotiator for the Union.
Merz anticipates that Scholz will agree to collaborate. In his perspective, Scholz should and will not reject this offer, he asserted. "This is the opposition's offer to the government, or at least to parts of the government that are open to cooperation." It would be crucial to reach an agreement in the first week of the Bundestag's session - starting from September 9 - to enact initial decisions.
Merz mentioned that the scheduled meeting with Scholz had been planned in advance. However, following the terror attack in Solingen with three fatalities and eight injuries, the focus solely shifted to migration-related issues.
Merz suggested that the German Bundestag, with its significant majority of both Christian Democrats and Social Democrats, could collaborate on tightening immigration policies. He proposed a vote in the Bundestag for urgent legislative changes, specifically focusing on the Residence Act, Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, and the Federal Police Act.
During the crucial session in the German Bundestag, Merz reiterated the need for a collective effort to address the persistent issue of unlawful migration into Germany, advocating for a possible "national emergency" declaration if necessary.
