Despite the judgement of the court, the German Government does not intend to change the course on the return of migrants from borders. The press is commenting.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defends his policy of turning asylum seekers at the border in Germany. On Monday, June 2, an administrative court in Berlin found specified a case illegal.
Merz admitted that the Berlin court decision ‘restricts the area for manoeuvre’. But there's inactive area for manoeuvre. We know that we can inactive turn around (immigrants)," he said.
The issue is commented on on Wednesday (04.06.2025) by the German press.
‘Germany cannot do anything’
The “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” says: “The court explained at least that there is no general claim to the right to enter Germany. However, there is simply a right to a Dublin procedure at or close the border. However, this must not consequence in the right to long-term proceedings. For this reason, we must proceed to take the overarching nonsubjective – based on the importance and intent of German and European asylum law – that refugees do not apply first in Germany. As a result, most of them come here and the vast majority stay. This challenge must proceed to be addressed; at European level, through agreements and joint action, if possible by adapting the legal situation to reality, but also, if necessary, by national action to accomplish a common objective."
The paper "Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung" states: "This is simply a serious dilemma: if EU law guarantees that Germany can do nothing to halt most refugees from choosing them as their mark country, the EU itself loses acceptance among its citizens. This can be seen in many EU countries, where nationalist and anti-European parties are growing. No 1 can want this to happen if they want to preserve the European community of states. Merz and Dobrindt (MMA head) must so consider: do they harm the EU by treading on thin ice legally? Or do they harm her even more by withdrawing now?’
Commentator "Nuernberger Nachrichten" writes: "The German government must stick to its goal of reducing illegal migration. However, it is unacceptable that a long-term European dispute over which country is liable for which refugees is taking place at the expense of people seeking protection. Merz and Dobrindt will not be able to avoid taking an uncomfortable way to improvement the Dublin strategy in the EU, which is actually unfair and impractical. Chadeci now face a dilemma due to the fact that they have made very far-reaching promises. The speech of election rhetoric was populist. As rulers, they must now implement their plans in accordance with the regulation of law. Anything else is unacceptable. Germany cannot take the example of Donald Trump in the US and Viktor Orbán in Hungary who have no interest in the regulation of law.”
The paper “Rheinfalz” states: “Everyone who ignores the judgement of the court abandons the foundations of the regulation of law. The fact that Alexander Dobrindt wants to proceed following the Berlin administrative court's judgement is not only politically unreasonable – it is highly problematic. Dobrindt could have reacted better. alternatively of at least verbally promising to adjust border practice, he chooses a confrontation. It won't work. This undermines assurance in the fresh government – above all, in asylum policy, where change was promised."
Written by Wojciech Szymański
