The German government has announced plans to streamline its asylum procedures in a bid to curb rising migration, including easing the process for designating countries of origin as “safe” and scrapping mandatory legal counsel for asylum seekers facing deportation.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt revealed the new measures at a press conference on Wednesday, following a cabinet meeting where ministers under Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed to a series of policy shifts aimed at reducing the number of asylum applications.
Under the proposed changes, the government will no longer require approval from the Bundesrat — Germany’s upper house of parliament — when determining whether a country qualifies as safe. The designation of a country as “safe” makes it easier for authorities to reject asylum claims from its nationals, on the grounds that they are unlikely to face persecution at home.
“These are essential steps that are part of a whole raft of measures to bring about the asylum transformation,” Dobrindt said, adding that the reforms are intended to create a more efficient system while maintaining core humanitarian protections.
The reforms follow through on Merz’s election pledge to take a tougher stance on migration. His centre-right coalition won February’s federal election after campaigning heavily on border security and migration control — issues that remain among German voters’ top concerns.
However, the new proposals have already drawn criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups. Critics argue the moves could undermine asylum seekers’ rights and strain Germany’s legal commitments under international refugee law.
One contentious element of the reform is the removal of mandatory legal representation for asylum seekers facing expulsion, a move government officials say will speed up deportation procedures. Advocacy groups warn it could leave vulnerable individuals without the legal means to defend their claims.
The push for tighter asylum rules also comes in the wake of a Berlin court ruling this week that blocked the deportation of three Somali asylum seekers, casting doubt on some aspects of the government’s migration crackdown. Chancellor Merz acknowledged the legal setback but insisted it would not derail the overall plan.
“These rulings may affect specific cases, but they won’t stop our broader effort to enforce fair but firm migration controls,” Merz said on Tuesday.
The policy shift reflects growing public concern over migration, which has contributed to the recent surge in support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. By tightening asylum rules, the Merz government hopes to counter political pressure while maintaining control over the country’s migration system.
