Germany plans to limit asylum seekers under 100,000 annually

Friedrich Merz, the likely future Chancellor of Germany, has announced plans to limit the number of new asylum seekers to fewer than 100,000 per year, citing concerns that public services such as schools and hospitals are overwhelmed. Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), stated that the current influx is unsustainable and aims to reduce asylum applications significantly. To achieve this goal, the new government intends to suspend family reunifications and increase deportations of asylum seekers at the borders. The number of asylum applications has already dropped from 329,000 in 2023 to approximately 229,000 in 2024. These measures come amid pressure from the far-Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and rising tensions related to migration and security. Merz's coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD) is expected to cooperate with neighboring countries to manage the asylum situation effectively.