Overview

• In an interview with the Evangelischer Pressedienst, reported on Aug. 24–25, Patzelt calls the government’s migration pivot led by Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt a major error.
• He labels Polish border checks pointless, pointing to nearby crossings without controls and warning of renewed estrangement with Poland.
• He proposes relocating the Voluntary Social Year to migrants’ countries of origin to foster understanding among young people.
• He defends the 2015 humanitarian approach, citing two Eritrean refugees he hosted who integrated through work, language learning, and vocational training.
• He rejects a strict party firewall to the AfD, not ruling out a minority coalition, and argues the Basic Law serves as the safeguard against anti-democratic moves.