A senior figure within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is calling for stricter asylum policies and has voiced criticism of former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s migration decisions.
Johannes Winkel, chairman of the Junge Union (Young Union), argues that asylum procedures should be completed before individuals reach their destination country, in this case, Germany. He told the newspaper “Welt” that conducting assessments within a host nation effectively dismantles the asylum system, creating “de facto unlimited entry rights.
Winkel expressed concern over the high number of asylum applications – exceeding 250,000 in 2024 – stating that the right to asylum is intended for those facing individual persecution, not for mass migration. He suggested that even 5,000 asylum cases annually constitutes a significant number.
Regarding Merkel’s famous statement, “We can do it” Winkel labelled it a flawed decision, arguing it attempted to combine “open borders for all with an open welfare state for all”. He believes this approach undermined the foundations of the state and was overly optimistic. Winkel emphasized that the state has a duty to protect its own citizens, a responsibility that cannot be fulfilled if control over immigration is lost. Consequently, he stated he understands why some citizens believe Merkel did not fulfill her obligations.
Winkel also criticized the recent agreement among Cologne’s political parties – excluding the Alternative for Germany (AfD) – to refrain from negative rhetoric surrounding migration. He described this stance as “undemocratic” and a product of a “broken culture of discussion”. When asked if this arrangement provided electoral support for the AfD, he responded affirmatively.
