The winner of Germany’s election, conservative Friedrich Merz, on Monday reiterated his calls for strict border controls that would turn away asylum seekers trying to enter the country.
Merz, the leader of the centre-right CDU/CSU bloc, stressed the controversial policy demand ahead of expected coalition talks with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD). Merz is now widely expected to become Germany’s next chancellor.
He contended that the policy would be legal under European Union law if done as a temporary measure, a stance that is hotly debated by legal experts. All of Germany’s neighbours are part of the Schengen visa-free bloc.
“None of us want to close the borders,” Merz said, but he argued that control must be regained over who enters the country.
Merz said he hopes that EU leaders can strike a deal on changes to the common asylum policy which could bring common-sense solutions from 2026, but action is needed immediately.
“We can’t wait until then,” Merz said. “We urgently need to do something.”
Merz said he’s certain that the SPD can be convinced “to take a common path.”
Among other things, the SPD had expressed concerns under EU law about a de facto entry ban for irregular entries to Germany, including those seeking asylum, when Merz raised the demand during the election campaign.
Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) federal chairman and CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, speaks at a press conference after the CDU executive committee meeting. Christoph Soeder/dpa
