The Bundestag has decided on stricter measures for refugees.

The statement from the CDU/CSU mentions that there is a de facto ban on entry for individuals who do not possess valid documents and "do not comply with European freedom of movement." It is noted that this principle should apply to asylum seekers, and migrants who can be deported should be temporarily detained. Additionally, broader powers for federal border police regarding deportations are also anticipated.

During parliamentary debates on tightening border admission rules, members of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) expressed their support alongside the conservative bloc. The alliance led by Sahra Wagenknecht abstained from voting. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), the "Alliance 90/The Greens," and the Left Party opposed the measures.

Prior to the vote, there were heated disputes and discussions in the media. CDU leader and chancellor candidate from the conservative bloc, Friedrich Merz, previously stated that he was prepared to present the CDU/CSU bloc's statement with the support of the AfD. Consequently, the Social Democrats, Greens, and Left Party criticized him for abandoning his promise not to form a coalition with the AfD and not to rely on its support for significant parliamentary decisions. It was emphasized that Merz had "broken the firewall" against the AfD.

The second proposal from the CDU/CSU bloc regarding extensive reforms for a stricter migration control policy and additional powers for security agencies was rejected due to insufficient votes. This proposal also called for the introduction of permanent border controls. Under the direction of the German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, control points have been in place at all German land borders for several months.

The rejected proposal also included provisions for electronic facial recognition at train stations and airports, extended deportation detention for criminals, retention of IP addresses by telecommunications operators, reunification of temporary refugees with their families, and the termination of all voluntary refugee reception programs. All factions in the Bundestag, including the AfD, opposed the second proposal.

In his speech, Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized that the right to asylum is a fundamental part of Germany's legal and value system. He stated that it was a direct response to the horrors of the Nazi regime, during which Jews were denied entry at European and German borders. The Chancellor highlighted that Germany sends a fatal signal to other European countries by violating European law, "as has only been done so far by Viktor Orban."

Scholz criticized Merz for "supporting illegal proposals from the AfD, which fights against democracy and despises a united Europe." Furthermore, the Chancellor pointed out that all necessary laws to combat crime and integrate migrants already exist in Germany; they just need to be enforced.

Debates regarding the acceptance of refugees and migrants intensified following a knife attack on a kindergarten group in Aschaffenburg, during which a two-year-old boy was killed. The perpetrator was a mentally ill refugee from Afghanistan.

After the Bundestag vote, Friedrich Merz proposed new negotiations on migration with the SPD and the Greens. He stated that he "is not seeking any other majority except for a democratic center in parliament." The CDU leader expressed regret that such a majority has not materialized.