German anti-immigration plan fails in Bundestag

A bill supported by the opposition that called for stricter immigration laws was rejected by the German parliament, or Bundestag. Due to the far-right stance of the front-runner in Germany's next election, the topic has become a focal point of discussion.
Friedrich Mertz, the front-runner and leader of the opposition, has made his calls for a stricter immigration policy a major component of his campaign for the election scheduled for February 23.
Before the vote, Friedrich Mertz was urged to repeal the law by the Greens (Die Grünen) and the Social Democrats (SPD) in a debate.
Details of the immigration restriction plan
According to reports, the plan includes three key points, namely the amendment of the residence law, the ban on family reunification and the increase in the powers of the Federal Police.
The amendment of the residence law aims to establish restrictions on the entry of immigrants into the country as a legal principle and incorporate it into the German residence law.
The ban on family reunification means that asylum seekers who have only received subsidiary protection will no longer be allowed to bring their family members to Germany.
In addition to these points, the German Federal Police will be authorized to detain, and request the deportation of people who are required to leave Germany.
With the rejection of the plan, the two Christian Democrats and the Christian Social Union suffered a major setback in their immigration policy, and the role of the far-right Alternative for Germany party in future policymaking will remain controversial.
This was the second time in a week that an immigration plan from the conservative Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union has been put to a vote.
Last Wednesday, the Bundestag also approved for the first time a motion to reconsider the bill, supported only by the far-right Alternative for Germany party. The motion, put forward by the two Christian conservative parties, aimed to tighten Germany's immigration policies.
The Social Democrats and the Greens described the reliance on the far-right Alternative for Germany's votes as a violation of the norm and a dangerous turning point in German politics, and voted against it along with the Left Party.