German Migration Official's Proposal to Replace Asylum Rights Fuels Political Tensions

Hans-Eckhard Sommer's call for a quota-based asylum system has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, while CDU figures defend the controversial idea.

Hans-Eckhard Sommer, head of Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf), proposed replacing individual asylum rights with a quota-based system during a speech on April 1, 2025.
Sommer emphasized that his remarks were personal and not made in his capacity as Bamf President, though critics argue his position makes such statements inappropriate.
The Green and Left Parties have demanded Sommer's resignation, citing concerns about the compatibility of his views with his official responsibilities and constitutional obligations.
Acting Interior Minister Nancy Faeser rejected Sommer's proposal, reaffirming the SPD's commitment to individual asylum rights, but has not taken disciplinary action against him.
The proposal has intensified Germany's migration policy debate ahead of upcoming elections, with CDU figures like Armin Schuster and Thorsten Frei supporting the idea as a constructive reform.