Germany’s
new interior minister highlights hard right turn on migration
The
appointment signals stricter asylum rules, tighter border controls and a
tougher stance on deportation for the EU’s biggest economy.
Dobrindt,
54, is a longtime member of the Christian Social Union, the Bavarian sister
party to Merz’s center-right Christian Democrats. |
April 28,
2025 1:50 pm CET
By Chris
Lunday
BERLIN —
Alexander Dobrindt, a veteran conservative from Bavaria with a reputation for
tough talk on migration and law enforcement, is set to become Germany’s next
interior minister in Friedrich Merz’s new grand coalition government.
The
appointment is a sign that Merz — who campaigned on pledges of boosting “order
and security” — plans to toughen up Germany’s domestic policy, especially
regarding migration and internal security.
Dobrindt,
54, is a longtime member of the Christian Social Union, the Bavarian sister
party to Merz’s center-right Christian Democrats, and one of the Union parties’
most outspoken voices in favor of stricter migration and border-control
measures.
“We have
agreed fundamental course corrections, further course corrections in migration
policy,” incoming chancellor Friedrich Merz told party members on Monday. “From
day one, we will control our national borders even better … We will support a
much more restrictive course in the European Union. Under my leadership in
Europe, Germany will no longer be sitting on the brakes on this issue, but we
will work together with others in Europe to solve this major problem.”
Dobrindt,
who was first elected to the Bundestag in 2002, rose to national prominence as
transport minister under former Chancellor Angela Merkel, where he made
headlines with his push for a highway toll that critics said unfairly targeted
foreign drivers.
More
recently, as head of the CSU’s parliamentary group in Berlin, he has built his
brand around calls for stricter asylum policies, faster deportation of rejected
applicants and cuts to welfare benefits for migrants.
Taking over
the interior ministry — a powerful post overseeing Germany’s federal police,
border security and migration system — hands Dobrindt key levers to reshape the
country’s approach from the inside.
He’s
expected to push for tighter border checks, limit benefits for asylum-seekers
and press for more aggressive deportation policy. His appointment could also
complicate Germany’s position in broader migration talks in the European Union,
where Berlin has often played a moderate role.
The timing
is significant, as migration is again high on the political agenda across
Europe, fueling the rise of right-wing parties from Paris to Vienna. Dobrindt’s
elevation will likely resonate far beyond Germany’s borders — while inside the
country, it sets up a collision course with more liberal forces who warn that a
crackdown on migration risks undermining Germany’s global image as an open,
humanitarian country.
This story
has been updated.
Nette
Nöstlinger contributed to this report.
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