Image courtesy of : (Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Sandro_Halank)
As Friedrich Merz prepares to assume the role of Chancellor on May 6th, his administration is set to address key issues under the leadership of Thorsten Frei, the incoming head of the Chancellery. The new government plans to focus on managing pensions, care, and budgetary concerns, while viewing the 2025 budget as a lesser priority. Instead, they plan to maintain provisional budget management, seeing it as a more economical method.
A significant shift in migration policy is also on the agenda. Frei has announced plans to intensify border controls and limit illegal migration by expanding person checks at German borders. This includes returning individuals without valid documents, a measure that is expected to stir debate given its potential legal challenges. The approach intends to process asylum applications at the EU's external borders, aiming for stricter entry regulations.
The coalition, formed with the agreement of the SPD, also contemplates enhanced deportation measures to countries like Afghanistan and Syria and expanding the list of safe countries of origin. Such policies have raised concerns among NGOs and legal experts regarding potential human rights implications.
Accompanying these migration policies, the new government promises economic reforms, including tax reliefs and pension adjustments. The administration's approach will test its ability to balance restrictive policies with humanitarian considerations, a challenge that will unfold under public scrutiny as it seeks to fulfill its objectives.
