Dutch government falls over immigration.
Germany’s Merz is in conflict with German judicial system over immigration/asylum issue
Recalling Germany’s recent federal election campaign, which was significantly shaped by the issue of immigration, Etzold thinks the debate was too “heated” and too focused on how immigration affects Germany — something he believes is unlikely to change under the new government.
Think again Herr Etzold.
A Berlin court ruled Monday that the German government’s push to turn away asylum-seekers at the country’s borders is unlawful, upending a key feature of conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s promised crackdown on migration.
The Berlin court said Monday that German border officials cannot turn away asylum seekers before it was determined which country should process their cases under EU rules.
The decision, in response to a challenge brought by three Somali nationals refused entry to Germany, dealt a blow to the crackdown Merz launched when he took power last month.
But his government insists it is legal to continue turning away asylum seekers while it tries to challenge the ruling, and conservative leader Merz reiterated that stance.
“We will do it to protect public safety and order in our country and to prevent cities and municipalities from becoming overwhelmed.”
Pushing back undocumented migrants at Germany’s borders, including almost all asylum seekers, was one of Merz’s key campaign pledges ahead of February elections.