A recent string of attacks in Germany, including a car-ramming incident in Munich, has reignited the country's sensitive migration debate. Last week, a car ploughed into demonstrators in Munich, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries. The suspect, a 24-year-old asylum-seeker from Afghanistan, is believed to have had Islamist extremist tendencies.
This tragic event in Munich is part of a series of recent attacks allegedly carried out by asylum-seekers facing deportation, prompting renewed discussions on migration policies in Germany. Following a deadly knife attack in Solingen last year, the German government implemented stricter asylum regulations and resumed deportation flights to Afghanistan for the first time since the Taliban's resurgence.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has capitalized on anti-migrant sentiments, with co-leader Alice Weidel advocating for 'migration change.' Germany's political landscape has shifted towards a more conservative stance on immigration, diverging from the open-door policy championed by former Chancellor Angela Merkel during the 2015-16 migrant crisis.
Merkel's declaration of 'Wir schaffen das' (We'll manage it) symbolized Germany's welcoming culture towards migrants, contrasting with the stricter approaches adopted by neighboring countries. However, the surge in support for parties advocating tough immigration policies has led to a significant shift in Germany's stance on migration.
In response to growing concerns, Berlin introduced enhanced border controls at all land borders in September, marking a departure from the country's previous welcoming approach to migrants. The evolving attitudes towards migration in Germany reflect a broader trend towards stricter immigration policies and a reevaluation of the country's role in providing refuge to those in need.
