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Agency Report
The dominant conservative party in Bavaria is taking a tougher stance on migration, proposing that migrants’ right to residence be tied to securing sufficient income, while also calling for the deportation of repeat offenders and criminals.
The Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) party outlined its proposal in a document prepared for a meeting of CSU Bundestag or federal parliament members next week.
The Bavarian CSU, together with its sister party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), form the largest opposition bloc in the lower house of German parliament and lead the polls ahead of upcoming early elections on February 23.
While many of the points align with the joint election programme of CDU/CSU, the CSU’s tone is notably tougher in certain areas.
The document, seen by dpa, asserts that individuals seeking a residence permit must be able to support themselves through employment and not rely on social benefits.
The CSU also reiterates its call for the deportation of criminals and individuals deemed a security threat. The document emphasizes that the principle should be: “those who commit a crime will be expelled.”
“Anyone who commits a crime or deliberately re-offends multiple times must leave our country,” it says and suggests that those who cannot be deported should face indefinite detention.
The CSU further advocates for stronger border controls, calling for the next interior minister to prioritize the ability to reject individuals at the borders to ensure internal security and public order. The proposal includes plans to implement a de facto ban on illegal immigration, with the right to carry out national rejections.
To enforce these measures, the CSU suggests equipping police with the legal and technical tools to “read mobile devices of individuals attempting to enter at the borders.” However, the CSU did not provide any further details.
Such measures are generally seen very critically in Germany due to its strong privacy protection laws and also sensitivity to its Nazi past and to that of the secret police in the former East Germany. Under both systems severe breaches of personal privacy and individual rights were common place.
The CSU group meeting is scheduled to run from Monday through Wednesday. Friedrich Merz, the CDU/CSU candidate for chancellor, is set to attend the meeting on the final day.
