In a landmark move signaling a sharp pivot in German migration policy, newly-elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to declare a national emergency to confront the ongoing issues related to illegal immigration. According to a report published by Die Welt on May 8, the Merz administration has already informed the ambassadors of neighboring countries of this decision, reflecting the seriousness and urgency Berlin attaches to the matter.

The announcement comes just days after Merz was sworn into office on May 6, replacing Olaf Scholz after months of growing public dissatisfaction over migration management, rising crime, and mounting pressure on social services. Germany has consistently been the leading destination for asylum seekers in the European Union, receiving more than 237,000 asylum applications in 2024 – about a quarter of all applications filed across the 27-member bloc.

Chancellor Merz wasted no time signaling a new direction. On his first day in office, he declared that his government would begin turning away illegal migrants at the border, a move that will mark a dramatic departure from the open-door policies of previous administrations, particularly those under Angela Merkel during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis.

Merz’s plan involves invoking Article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which allows member states to bypass certain EU rules in the interest of maintaining “law and order” and ensuring “internal security.” By declaring a national emergency, Germany would be permitted to prioritize national regulations over EU obligations – a significant legal maneuver that could have........

© Blitz