Germany’s incoming government, led by Friedrich Merz, is set to introduce tougher border controls and stricter asylum application procedures beginning on May 6.
One of the main arguments for these changes is that asylum seekers should apply for protection in the first EU country they enter, which, according to the government, is “almost never Germany.”
Thorsten Frei, the future Chancellery Minister from the CDU, announced that Germany would implement more stringent measures to manage migration. These will include enhanced identity checks at the borders and the immediate rejection of individuals attempting to enter the country illegally.
From May 6, anyone attempting to enter Germany unlawfully should expect to be stopped at the border, Frei stated, speaking to the Funke Mediengruppe. As part of these efforts, Germany will also adopt refoulement — the practice of sending migrants back at the border — to more effectively address irregular migration.
A key aspect of the policy shift is its alignment with EU law, which stipulates that asylum seekers must submit their applications in the first EU country they enter.
The CDU/CSU and SPD coalition agreement includes provisions to maintain border controls and coordinate migrant returns with neighboring countries such as France, Austria, and Poland. Frei noted that Germany has already received substantial support from these nations for the planned changes.
