The CDU leader stressed that his party was ready to work with the government coalition to find a joint solution to the problem. In addition, he stressed that the ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) could solve the issue on their own without the cooperation of the SPD's coalition partners, the Greens and the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP).
However, Merz stated that this is “certainly not a request to join the coalition.”
Merz recommended to Scholz that he would not prevent the rapid adoption of urgent bills in the lower house of the German legislature (the Bundestag), but that the government and the opposition Christian Democrats should first appoint people responsible for the relevant legislative areas.
As he said, in order to solve the immigration problem, he would also be willing to amend the German Basic Law. Article 16a of the German Basic Law stipulates the right to apply for asylum, and its amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of the German parliament.
Merz indicated that he expected Scholz would not reject his proposal. The Christian Democratic politician stressed that comprehensive measures were needed to curb illegal immigration.
In addition, Merz said that “the country is slipping out of the chancellor's hands.” He described the dramatic situation as the political center no longer being able to find common solutions. He added that people rightly expect political leaders to solve problems.
The German chancellor promised to speed up deportations and crack down on illegal immigration on Monday in Solingen, where a Syrian man killed three people and wounded eight others on Friday during a festival celebrating the city's 650-year history.
