Germany rejects immigration bill amid conservative opposition

Bundestag rejects controversial immigration draft law with backing from the far-right, leading to division within conservative ranks.

Friedrich Merz (M), CDU federal chairman and leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, speaks during a session in the plenary chamber of the Bundestag on January 31, 2025, in Berlin. Photo by Hannes P. Albert/dpa/Getty Images

By Clarisa Sendy and Nada Fadiyah

Germany's parliament on Friday rejected a controversial draft immigration law that had been proposed by conservative leader Friedrich Merz, causing a significant blow to his leadership and his party's unity. The bill, which called for stricter measures on family reunification and more expulsions at the borders, garnered unexpected support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), breaking a longstanding taboo against cooperating with the far-right. However, despite this backing, the draft law ultimately failed to pass after key conservative lawmakers refused to support it.

This historic vote marked a significant moment in German politics, highlighting divisions within the conservative bloc and raising questions about the future direction of Germany’s immigration policy. The rejection of the bill, which was seen as a response to a string of high-profile violent incidents involving individuals with immigrant backgrounds, sent a powerful message about the country's stance on immigration and its willingness to cooperate with extremist groups.

The draft law, which had been introduced by Merz and his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, was initially passed in a non-binding motion by the Bundestag on Wednesday. This motion had received the backing of the AfD, a party with growing influence in Germany's political landscape. The AfD's support for the motion, which had broken a longstanding taboo against cooperation with far-right parties, led to protests across the country and ignited heated debates over the direction of Germany's immigration policy.

However, the draft bill faced a significant setback on Friday when 12 conservative lawmakers chose not to support Merz’s proposed measures. This move, which dealt a blow to Merz’s authority within the CDU, was a clear sign of the internal divisions within the conservative party. The failure of these lawmakers to endorse the bill left Merz isolated and exposed to criticism from both within his party and from opposition groups.

Merz, who is widely considered to be Germany's likely next chancellor following the upcoming national elections on February 23, had championed the bill despite warnings from within his own ranks. Many party colleagues had cautioned that cooperating with the far-right could tarnish Merz's reputation and cost the CDU crucial votes in the upcoming election.

"I would have liked to see a different result, but this creates clarity," Merz said after the vote. His comments reflected his frustration at the outcome and his inability to unify his party behind the proposed legislation.

Nationwide protests and political fallout

Wednesday’s vote, which had passed with the support of the AfD, prompted a wave of protests across Germany. Citizens took to the streets to voice their opposition to the draft bill, arguing that it was discriminatory and would harm the country's reputation on the global stage.

In addition to public protests, the vote led to the resignation of a high-profile member of Merz's CDU party, who criticized the party’s collaboration with the far-right. The resignation marked the beginning of a series of political fallout that Merz would have to contend with in the coming weeks.

The rejection of the bill also prompted strong rebukes from former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had previously led the CDU for over a decade. Merkel, who had long been a champion of more inclusive immigration policies, warned that the proposed restrictions would undermine Germany's values and damage its international standing. Merkel’s condemnation added to the pressure on Merz and intensified the divisions within the CDU over the issue of immigration.

In addition to Merkel’s criticism, Germany’s Protestant and Catholic churches also expressed disapproval of the draft law. Both religious organizations have long been advocates for more compassionate immigration policies and called for a more humane approach to migration. Their opposition further fueled the public outcry against the bill and highlighted the growing tension between the CDU and the broader German public on immigration issues.

Merz had argued that the draft bill was necessary in response to the rising concerns about immigration and crime in Germany. He pointed to a series of high-profile killings in public spaces that had been committed by individuals with immigrant backgrounds. Merz and his supporters claimed that the restrictions on family reunification and increased expulsions at the borders would help prevent further violence and improve public safety.

However, Merz's critics, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats and their coalition partner the Greens, rejected the bill on both legal and practical grounds. Scholz’s government argued that the proposed measures would violate European Union law and that they would not have prevented the deadly attacks Merz had referenced. According to the opposition, the bill was a politically motivated response to media coverage of violent incidents rather than a well-thought-out policy designed to address the root causes of crime.

The Social Democrats and the Greens also criticized the bill for undermining Germany’s international reputation as a welcoming and inclusive country. They warned that such restrictions would alienate Germany from its European neighbors and send the wrong message to the world.

The role of the AfD and the far-right’s influence

The support of the far-right AfD for the immigration bill was a key factor in the growing divisions within the CDU. The AfD, which has been under surveillance by Germany's security services due to its extremist views, has increasingly gained traction among voters who feel disillusioned with traditional parties like the CDU.

While the CDU has traditionally positioned itself as a centrist party, the increasing influence of the AfD has pushed some members of the CDU to adopt more hardline policies on immigration. The cooperation between the CDU and the AfD on the immigration motion raised concerns that the CDU was abandoning its traditional values in favor of courting far-right voters.

The AfD’s involvement in the vote was seen as a dangerous precedent by many in Germany’s political establishment. Critics warned that by aligning with the far-right, the CDU risked further normalizing extremist views and undermining the democratic values on which Germany was built.

As Germany prepares for the national elections on February 23, the rejection of the immigration bill has highlighted the growing polarization of the country’s political landscape. Merz and the CDU now face a difficult path ahead as they try to reconcile their differences with both the far-right and the more centrist factions within their own party.

The outcome of this vote is likely to have lasting implications for the future of Germany’s immigration policy. While the draft law was rejected, the issue of immigration will undoubtedly continue to be a key point of contention in the lead-up to the elections. With tensions running high and the political landscape shifting, Germany’s next chancellor will need to find a way to navigate the complex and divisive issue of immigration without alienating key voter groups.

The rejection of the bill is a setback for Merz and the CDU, but it also signals that the far-right's influence on German politics may not be as pervasive as some had feared. As the debate over immigration continues, it will be crucial for political leaders to balance security concerns with the country’s commitment to human rights and international cooperation.