Germany to reduce annual refugee intake below 100,000

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Germany’s prime minister-designate, has announced that the number of new asylum seekers admitted into the country will be reduced to below 100,000 per year.

According to Zeit, Merz stated on ARD television’s political talk show, Caren Miosga, “Our idea is to significantly reduce this number now. The number of accepted refugees should no longer be in six-figure digits. Our cities, municipalities, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure are overburdened.”

Merz indicated that the new government, in accordance with the coalition agreement among the main parties, will deport “more people” and suspend family reunifications to decrease the number of asylum applications in Germany.

Referring to the goal of turning back asylum seekers at the country’s borders, Merz said, “This will happen.”

Merz noted that officials are already coordinating with neighboring countries, adding that the Austrian government, in particular, is “as interested as we are in solving this problem.”

According to the coalition agreement between the CDU, the Christian Social Union (CSU), and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), there are plans to turn back asylum seekers from Germany’s borders.

However, this practice must not violate the constitutional framework.

Merz’s five-point plan in January stated that the new government intends to introduce “permanent border controls.”

Last week, Merz said that Germany might reconsider its approach to granting citizenship and strengthen immigration control.

Specifically, the possibility of “accelerated citizenship” after three years of residence in Germany will be abolished.

In 2024, the number of first-time asylum applications in Germany exceeded 229,700.

This figure represents a decrease of approximately 100,000 compared to 2023.