The FDP is open to collaborating with the CDU to strengthen asylum regulations.
The FDP's parliamentary leader endorsed Merz's suggestion for bipartisan collaborations in immigration policy resolution. According to Dürr, all democratic parties are crucial for addressing the immigration crisis. The instance of Solingen underscores this, as the CDU-led government in North Rhine-Westphalia failed to deport the offender, Dürr pointed out critically. Consequently, he stressed, it's even more crucial that federal and state authorities work together to tackle this issue. The FDP is prepared for this collaborative effort.
Party head Christian Lindner echoed the FDP's readiness for cross-party collaboration. He stated, "The FDP is prepared to take consistent, bipartisan steps to introduce a new realism in immigration policy at both federal and state levels." Lindner praised Merz's immigration proposals, noting they closely align with the FDP's stance.
Lindner further highlighted the FDP's advocacy for stricter migration controls – an initiative started even when the CDU was still aligned with Merkel's course. He advocated cutting off social benefits for many asylum seekers, like the Solingen perpetrator, and suggested that Dublin refugees should no longer receive social benefits in Germany to prompt their departure for the responsible EU country.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) welcomed Union faction and CDU chair Merz at the Chancellery on Tuesday morning. Merz proposed joint action to strengthen immigration policy. Merz emphasized his quest for bipartisan changes to the law during the next Bundestag session, scheduled for September 9. He expressed hope for a joint strategy "with the coalition partners willing to cooperate."
I'm not going to sugarcoat the situation, the FDP's past stance on stricter migration controls, even when the CDU was aligned with Merkel's course, has been clear. However, I'm not going to lie, the current FDP, led by Christian Lindner, is open to bipartisan collaborations and has praised Merz's immigration proposals, aligning closely with their stance.
