Facing the escalation in the Middle East, the SPD in the Bundestag warns of a new wave of refugees heading to Germany and Europe.
According to the party’s foreign‑policy spokesperson, Adis Ahmetović, every past conflict in the region-such as Iraq, Syria and Libya-has triggered large movements of people. “We are trying to reorganise migration to Europe, but that will now be much harder” he told “Stern”. He warned that “millions of people” could flee to Europe and asked, “Are we ready for another ‘We can manage it’ moment? I don’t think so”.
Ahmetović added that it is reassuring that Iran’s former supreme leader, who has steered the country to the brink, is no longer alive. Nevertheless, he cautions that the future following Khamenei is unclear. A 90‑million‑person multi‑ethnic state now has the potential for civil war, and the region could erupt into a widespread conflagration. Such a scenario would have direct consequences for Germany and Europe.
The SPD politician also criticized President Trump’s strategy, saying that he seeks to use the war to pressure China into a deal. China is Iran’s largest oil importer, and the United States had previously shut the Venezuelan oil market to the Chinese. If tensions between the U.S. and China continue to flare, the fallout will be felt in Europe. Ahmetović pointed out that China’s influence in trade policy and the economy is significant, and its capacity to act has been repeatedly demonstrated.
