Government Reforms on Migration and Rent Control

In a decisive cabinet meeting, the German government is poised to introduce significant reforms targeting migration and rent control. Central to the agenda is a proposal from Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to reverse the accelerated naturalization process established by the previous administration, which allowed migrants to gain citizenship after just three years.

The government also aims to temporarily suspend family reunification for refugees lacking asylum status, a move intended to further limit migration inflows. Critics, including Green Party leader Felix Banaszak, argue that these measures do not enhance safety and fail to address the pressing labor shortages in various sectors, such as healthcare and hospitality.

In conjunction with migration reforms, Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has proposed extending the rent cap, known as Mietpreisbremse, for an additional four years. Although Hubig initially sought to expand the rent control measures to include newer constructions, she has opted for a more immediate solution to ensure quick legislative approval.

The government’s agenda will also encompass additional tenant protection measures, aimed at increasing transparency around ancillary costs and tightening regulations on indexed rents. As these proposals unfold, the government faces scrutiny on their implications for both societal integration and economic stability.