The pro-migration wing of the Social Democrats (SPD) is making radical demands of the new government on the issue of migration, including allowing half a million “skilled” workers into the country per year, and “perspectives” offered to those who are given deportation orders.
As Remix News reported, there are already worries the new coalition will be unable to achieve their goal of taking out €1 trillion in debt for infrastructure and defense.
However, another tough sticking point may be immigration, even if the conservative wing of the SPD is willing to accommodate the CDU on a range of points related to migration.
The SPD’s Migration and Diversity Working Group wants a new course on migration, one that rejects the course set by the CDU. The group argues the country needs 500,000 legal migrants every year on top of asylum seekers who usually enter the country illegally, which the group argues would help replace retiring workers.
“We call for the introduction of a federal skilled worker program for 500,000 people annually to manage demographic change and meet the demand for skilled workers. This can/should also include refugees who bring qualifications or have a demonstrable potential to acquire qualifications in Germany,” wrote the group.
People in Germany illegally should also not be required to leave the country, but instead be offered a “perspective” in Germany.
“Programs should facilitate access to the labor market, promote their integration, and enable them to lead an independent life in Germany.” Deportations should “only be considered as a last resort in clearly defined cases and under the following conditions…” For example, in the case of repeat offenders or repeated abuse of the asylum and social systems.
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) March 6, 2025
Germany isn't going to close the borders, says SPD co-leader Lars Klingbeil.
"But I can tell you very clearly that the SPD will not go along with any de facto border closures."
Despite promises from the CDU, it appears nothing will change with an SPD coalition. pic.twitter.com/Vjkn1BYOcG
They also want a Ministry for Migration and Social Participation to better integrate immigrants, on top of the various agencies, NGOs, and ministries already dedicated to this purpose.
In addition, this group proposed that people who have lived in Germany for 25 years should “automatically receive German citizenship – unless they actively object.”
Despite the call for more immigration, the SPD and CDU have already signed an expiatory working paper on immigration which contains stricter immigration proposals. The migration working group also has limited power to influence the entire party.
“With our concept, we are taking a holistic view of migration. The current debates, and in particular the exploratory paper, are devoid of facts and, unfortunately, are less evidence-based and more driven by gut feeling,” said Aziz Bozkurt, federal chairman of the Migration and Diversity Working Group and State Secretary in the Berlin Senate for Labor and Social Affairs, in an interview with Welt.
“The upcoming grand coalition is unfortunately heading in the completely wrong direction: It is closing legal paths such as admission programs and family reunification programs that promote integration, while simultaneously announcing solutions that are legally unfeasible and will not work in practice,” said Bozkurt.
