Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder is urging a decisive shift in Germany's immigration policy, emphasizing that the nation is both financially and culturally overwhelmed. Many residents reportedly no longer feel at home in their neighborhoods. Söder proposes replacing the individual right to asylum with an "institutional guarantee," enabling more deportations, and reducing annual asylum applications to fewer than 100,000.
In addition, Söder calls for stricter border controls, outright rejections, and a refusal to form a coalition with the Greens. He also seeks German involvement in foreign nuclear power plants and the preservation of coal and nuclear energy. Recent incidents, such as the murders in Mannheim and Solingen, have heightened public concerns about security, while elections in eastern Germany serve as a wake-up call.
Söder warns that ignoring immigration issues may bolster the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). He stresses the need to address these challenges head-on to prevent the rise of extremist forces. The CSU party conference in Augsburg will further discuss these proposals, with Söder and CDU leader Friedrich Merz as key speakers.
The immigration debate is intertwined with broader political dynamics, including potential coalition strategies. Söder rejects any alliance with the Greens, believing it would be detrimental to the CSU's voter base. Meanwhile, CDU leader Merz faces the challenge of balancing these internal party tensions while preparing for the next federal elections.
