Allies of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel have moved towards taking a harder line on migration in a shock move similar to Britain.
Mario Voigt, who leads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the German state of Thuringia said on Monday his party wants to “regain control of migration”.
The CDU, of which Mrs Merkel is a member, has presented what would be a sweeping overhaul to Germany’s migration policy which includes using safe, third countries to process asylum claims.
It comes as Germany is reportedly watching the UK closely as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tries to get his plan through Parliament to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda for processing.
In a 70 page paper, CDU party leaders outlined proposals to limit the number of asylum seekers entering Germany and relocating those who enter Europe to safe third countries to have their applications processed.
READ MORE Meghan Markle set to ‘elaborate’ on royal racist row in book
The CDU policy paper’s position on migration represents a major break from Mrs Merkel, who amid the European migrant crisis famously said “we will manage” as Germany welcomed a million refugees.
Voigt’s remarks and the CDU policy paper might stand in stark contrast to the former German chancellor’s position, but they come at a time when their Far Right rivals, Alternative for Germany, is polling at record highs.
AfD takes a tough stance on migration, with parties now upping their rhetoric and policies in a bid to see them off when Germans head to the polls next year. The CDU has shifted rightwards in a bid to win back voters drawn to the Far Right party.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also battling to bring down asylum applications, with caps on benefits and limits to the number accepted recently given the nod.
Don’t miss…
Prince Edward shoots down Omid Scobie in public with one subtle move[REVEALED]
Farage threatens war with ITV over attempted ‘stitch up’ during I’m a Celebrity[REPORT]
Rishi Sunak’s agonising wait to find out if Tory MPs will vote down Rwanda Bill[LATEST]
Meanwhile, in Britain would-be rebel MPs have warned Mr Sunak “major surgery” is still required to fix his flagship Rwanda asylum legislation, with as many as 40 prepared to either abstain or vote against the Bill in the House of Commons.
A revolt by 29 Conservative MPs could be enough to defeat the Safety of Rwanda Bill at its first Commons hurdle – something which has not happened to a piece of Government legislation since 1986.
About 20 members of the New Conservatives group of Tory MPs were expected at a No 10 breakfast meeting on Tuesday.
Illegal migration minister Michael Tomlinson – who replaced Robert Jenrick after he resigned in protest at the legislation – insisted he is “very much in listening mode” as last-ditch efforts to woo would-be rebels continue.
He told Sky News: “They’re not pesky rebels – they are respected colleagues who I have worked with.”
Mr Tomlinson said he is a former member of the European Research Group (ERG), one of the Tory factions critical of the Bill, and recognises the concerns his colleagues have.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
Former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke joined the chorus of criticism of the Bill, saying the Government should “withdraw the legislation and come back with a new Bill” that could avoid appeals against being sent to Rwanda.
He said: “This is a matter of practical politics as well as principle; we have failed to deliver on our promise to stop the boats twice already. There is neither public patience nor sufficient time for us to fail again.”
Mark Francois, leader of Tory faction the European Research Group, also called for Mr Sunak to withdraw the Bill and rewrite it to toughen it up, rather than put it to a vote on Tuesday.
But in a boost to the Prime Minister, One Nation moderates – numbering around 100 MPs – said they will recommend backing the Bill after attending a meeting addressed by Attorney General Victoria Prentis.
However, in an indication of the difficulties facing Mr Sunak as he struggles to assert authority over his party, One Nation chairman Damian Green also warned its MPs would oppose any amendments that would risk the UK breaching the rule of law and its international obligations.
Source: Read Full Article