Germany has recently named Alexander Dobrindt as its new interior minister. This recent decision represents a huge change in the country’s direction on migration and asylum policies. Dobrindt’s appointment indicates a hard right turn for the German government, which is now poised to introduce stricter asylum rules and tighter border controls. Increasingly, his criticism sought to paint a more hardline picture of how to approach keeping immigration in check – starting with deportation.
It’s no accident that Dobrindt was appointed as the temperature rises on infighting in the coalition government. Now they have set their sights on rolling back sanctions on Russia, particularly for the Nord Stream gas pipeline. One coalition member wants the U.S. to lift sanctions to encourage peace negotiations. Yet, cracks remain on the issue even among German parties.
Yet Germany, the European Union’s largest economy, faces unique challenges. In doing so, it aims to ensure that its economic short-termism is matched by an equally complicated geopolitical long game. Dobrindt’s appointment is a clear signal that this government means business when it comes to addressing these challenges. This is even more crucial considering Russia’s continued destabilization of Europe.
Dobrindt’s arrival in this new role comes at a time of acute migration fears. Germany discouragingly still has vexing challenges in showing real military reinforcement. The country is in the process of reestablishing its previously weakened military. They’re using a novel volunteer recruitment strategy to increase troop supply, which has flatlined in recent years. The continuing threat from Russia, as the Ukraine war response has shown, has given new momentum and urgency to that task.
The political climate in Germany is undergoing rapid change too. Lawmakers from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) have indicated an end to the long-standing “firewall” that prevented mainstream politicians from collaborating with far-right groups. This amendment would strengthen the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to an alarming degree. Because of that, they are now uniquely poised to assume critical roles in the political landscape.
As Dobrindt steps into his role, he will need to navigate these complexities while implementing policies that reflect his party’s hardline stance on migration. That’s because the consequences of Schulz’s leadership might largely shape Berlin’s domestic and foreign policies for years to come.
Leave a Reply