German opposition leader urges to enforce Dublin Regulation amid migrant crisis

Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has called on the federal government to enforce the Dublin Regulation more strictly, following a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on August 27.

Merz further suggested that Germany declare a national state of emergency if the EU rules cannot be effectively applied, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

This call comes in the wake of a tragic incident involving a Syrian migrant, who allegedly carried out a stabbing attack that left three people dead. The attack has intensified the debate over migration policy in Germany, with the ruling coalition already facing significant political pressure ahead of two upcoming state elections, where it is predicted to suffer substantial losses.

Merz, whose CDU party has seen a steady rise in the polls, demanded that the government adhere more closely to the Dublin Regulation, which requires asylum seekers to apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter. "If it cannot be adhered to, then I am convinced that we have the right to turn people back at Germany’s external borders," Merz stated.

As the attacker was initially registered in Bulgaria, Merz argued that the Dublin rules should have prevented his asylum claim in Germany. He expressed concern that current EU legislation might hinder the enforcement of these rules, pushing for a change at the EU level. "If [rejection of migrants at the border] is not possible for reasons of European law […]. then it must be resolved […] to make it possible," Merz suggested, adding that such a measure would allow national law to override EU legislation.

Merz also announced plans to meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is a member of his party, to discuss resolving the issue at the European level. He emphasized that declaring a state of emergency "is not at the discretion of the EU Commission."

The CDU leader’s comments reflect the growing public discontent with the current government’s handling of migration. With 32% of the vote, the CDU is leading significantly in the polls, while the ruling parties—Scholz’s SPD, the Greens, and the FDP—have all seen declines in voter support.