Tübingen’s market square and side streets were full on Friday, January 31. According to the police, around 4,000 people were protesting against plans to massively tighten migration policy in Germany. The organizers speak of around 11,000 participants. On Wednesday, ideas such as turning asylum seekers away at the borders had already found a majority with the votes of the CDU, the FDP and the AfD. The first joint vote with the AfD is seen as a breach of a taboo. Until now, the CDU had also rejected this. There was always talk of a “firewall” against the right.
Rejoicing over the failed bill
On Friday, CDU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz wanted to push through a draft of the so-called “Influx Limitation Act” in the Bundestag – but failed: 338 members of parliament voted in favor, but 349 against. When the organizers announced this result, the participants at the rally cheered. A total of 38 groups and initiatives from the region had called for the “Sea of Lights for Human Rights and Democracy” organized by Fridays for Future.
Doubts about Merz as chancellor candidate
Rottenburg’s Lord Mayor (OB) Stephan Neher (CDU) spoke out against his party’s approach in the debate on migration policy. He criticized it as a “party tactic” to the Südwestrundfunk (SWR). The Christian Democrat also doubted that CDU party leader Merz was the right candidate for the federal election on February 23.
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