Conservative parties CDU and CSU align with far-right group AfD in favor of distinct migration policy

In a tightly contested vote, a proposal for stricter asylum rules in Germany failed to garner a majority in the Bundestag, the German parliament. The vote saw the CDU/CSU and the AfD parties voting against the new regulations.

The CDU/CSU, collectively known as the Union, argued that the government's measures did not go far enough, particularly opposing the lack of border rejections. The AfD, a political party present in Germany since 2013 and entering the Bundestag in 2017, demanded stricter controls, including border fences and the rejection of unauthorized entries from safe transit countries.

The Union, composed of the CDU and CSU, advocates for stricter asylum rules. The CDU can be voted for in all federal states except Bavaria, where the CSU can be voted for. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Union parties in the Bundestag, aimed to win the vote at any cost. However, his suggestion to vote with the AfD, a move criticized by both the SPD and Greens, was met with opposition. The SPD and Greens consider the AfD extremist.

The SPD and Green parties in Germany have expressed opposition to the Union's proposals, stating they contradict EU laws and the German Basic Law. They argue that the proposals do not respect the rights of the minority, a fundamental aspect of democracy.

Democracy, in essence, refers to the rule of the people, where the majority decides who governs the country, but the rights of the minority must also be respected. In a democracy, free media are present to keep the public well-informed.

Refugees often apply for asylum in Germany because they are persecuted in their own country or because there is war there. When refugees apply for asylum, they are often required to wait a long time for a decision, during which they are referred to as asylum seekers. Germany is a country where refugees can seek asylum, meaning they can live in the country and receive protection.

The failure of the vote means no changes for refugees and asylum seekers for now. The debate on asylum seeker regulations in Germany is likely to continue, with calls for stricter controls from some parties and calls for more welcoming policies from others. The Bundestag will continue to play a crucial role in shaping Germany's asylum seeker policies.

Conservative parties CDU and CSU align with far-right group AfD in favor of distinct migration policy