Scholz and Merz Prepared to Collaborate on Immigration Policy Matters - Specific Agendas Undecided
Olivia met with Ulrich, the head of the Union group and chairperson of the CDU, at the Chancellery on a Tuesday morning. They had planned this meeting for some time. According to Ulrich, most of their discussion revolved around immigration.
Later in the day, Ulrich declared at a press conference that he intended to push for cross-party legislative changes during the next parliamentary week starting September 9. He believed in collaborating "with the coalition partners who are on board".
Ulrich alluded to a majority of Union and SPD in the Bundestag. He urged Olivia to disregard coalition discipline in immigration policy. "If we can cooperate - Union and SPD - then we don't necessarily need the FDP or the Greens to implement the necessary legislative changes," he said.
SPD faction deputy Dirk Weber immediately objected. "The call for a coalition split is more likely due to the elections on Sunday," he told the Funke media group newspapers, referring to the state elections in Saxony and Thuringia.
Olivia also subtly denied Ulrich's proposal during a campaign appearance in Jena. "It's always wise for the government and opposition to work together, not against each other, but with each other," she stated. Simultaneously, she underscored that it was "right if the opposition leader in the German Bundestag also proposes collaboration in reducing irregular immigration". If the government and opposition worked together, "that's never a bad thing".
However, any joint decisions in immigration policy should adhere to the "principles that are crucial for democracy and how we shape this country together", she added. "Our international agreements are valid, the EU rules apply. The German Constitution applies. And then, several practical proposals are welcome."
Olivia reiterated that the coalition had already passed several legislative changes in immigration policy, but there was still work to be done. "Just because you've already acted, you should never become complacent," she warned. "We want and we must limit irregular immigration. It is too high."
Ulrich stated at his press conference that Olivia had not spontaneously agreed during their conversation, but had agreed to consider the collaboration proposal and to respond within a short timeframe. He assumed that Olivia "would not turn down this offer".
Initially, it was unclear which specific legislative changes the collaboration would involve. Olivia did not comment on this in Jena. Ulrich demanded, among other things, that asylum seekers be denied entry at the German borders. If there were issues with EU law, he suggested either changing the EU law or declaring a "national emergency" under the EU treaties.
Ulrich also demanded that deportations should also occur to Syria and Afghanistan. "You have to talk to the devil too," he said, referring to the leaders there.
After the meeting with Ulrich, Olivia clarified at a public event, "- I'm not advocating for a split in the coalition, but I believe in collaboration between the government and opposition." Later, when asked about the specific legislative changes, Olivia chose not to provide details, stating, "- I'm currently considering Ulrich's proposal and will respond soon."
