Berlin - On May 5, 2025, the newly formed coalition government of the Union and the SPD, led by CDU chairman Friedrich Merz as the designated Chancellor, is set to sign its coalition agreement. However, just before this significant event, the Greens have launched a fierce critique of the Union's proposed border controls, which they argue are ineffective and legally questionable.
Marcel Emmerich, the interior policy spokesman for the Greens in the Bundestag, expressed his concerns in an interview with the Rheinische Post. He described the plans put forth by Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) and Friedrich Merz (CDU) as "neither practicable nor legally sound." The coalition agreement stipulates that border controls will continue at all German external borders, and in the future, asylum seekers may also be turned back at these locations.
Emmerich warned that the portrayal of closed borders creates unrealistic expectations, stating, "The image of closed borders conveys promises that can hardly be kept in reality." He emphasized that existing border controls are already inefficient, as the Federal Police lack the personnel and material resources to effectively secure the nearly 4,000-kilometer-long border.
The new government's approach has drawn comparisons to right-wing populism, with Emmerich accusing the coalition of adopting narratives that were once avoided by previous CDU-led administrations. He noted that while past leaders like Adenauer, Kohl, and Merkel contributed to European unity, the current coalition appears to prioritize isolationism. Emmerich argued, "Polarization in the country cannot be reduced with more symbolic politics and chaos, but rather through pragmatic, human rights-oriented, and European approaches."
In a related development, the designated Chancellor's office minister, Thorsten Frei (CDU), announced plans for stricter border controls and the rejection of asylum seekers starting from day one of the new government. The formal signing of the coalition agreement is expected to take place on Monday, following final preparations for the governmental transition.
Despite the coalition's intentions, the migration and asylum debate remains unresolved, with the agreement suggesting that such measures will be implemented "in coordination with our European neighbors." While the SPD insists on the necessity of obtaining approval from the federal states, Union representatives do not view this as mandatory.
Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz's first foreign visit as Chancellor is set for the coming weeks, with plans to visit Ukraine. During a recent visit to Paris, Merz emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. involvement in peace negotiations with Russia, stating, "It is important that the USA remains involved in this process and also in a future security guarantee for Ukraine."
In defense and security matters, Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to establish a German-French Security Council. This initiative aims to enhance cooperation in defense and armament issues, with Macron stating, "We will accelerate our Franco-German programs, develop new capabilities, and establish a Franco-German Defense and Security Council to provide operational responses to common strategic challenges."
Back in Germany, the new Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Karin Prien (CDU), has emphasized her department's role in promoting social cohesion. She stated, "We perceive ourselves as bridge builders: our focus will always be on what connects us, not what divides us." Prien also highlighted the ministry's new responsibilities in education, indicating a structural change aimed at a holistic approach to education.
In a ceremony marking the transition of the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Aerospace, new Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU) presented her predecessor Cem Özdemir (Greens) with a Lego spaceship, symbolizing the importance of space research. Bär asserted that space and aerospace play a strategic role in Germany's economic landscape, pledging significant investment in research and development.
As the new government settles into its roles, the Federal Ministry of Finance, now led by Lars Klingbeil, aims to finalize the federal budget for 2025 before the summer break. Klingbeil remarked, "It is my ambition that we have the budget ready in the cabinet before the summer break." This urgency comes after the previous government failed to pass a budget due to its dissolution.
In the cultural sector, Wolfram Weimer, the new Minister of State for Culture, has announced his commitment to combating anti-Semitism. He plans to meet with Josef Schuster from the Central Council of Jews in Germany to address issues raised regarding anti-Semitic representations in recent cultural events.
Overall, as the Merz government begins its work, it faces numerous challenges, particularly in migration policy and international relations. The coalition's approach to border security and its implications for Germany's role in Europe will be closely scrutinized in the coming weeks.
