German Coalition Talks Tense Over Migration Policy Disputes

The CDU and SPD clash on immigration reforms as coalition negotiations continue following Germany's recent election.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) has proposed a migration policy allowing 500,000 skilled workers annually, alongside voting rights for non-citizens and limited deportations.
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, opposes these measures, advocating stricter migration controls, including turning away asylum seekers at land borders.
The CDU won the recent election with 28.6% of the vote but requires a coalition to govern, ruling out collaboration with the far-right AfD despite its strong electoral showing.
SPD's pro-immigration demands include pathways to citizenship for undocumented migrants and automatic citizenship for those residing in Germany for over 25 years.
The CDU faces internal and public pressure to adhere to its campaign promises of reducing immigration while navigating coalition talks with the SPD.