Asylum policy: CDU and SPD at loggerheads in Saxony

Misunderstandings in the Saxon minority government: CDU Secretary General Tom Unger criticizes SPD leader Henning Homann for a post on Instagram. Following the Bundestag's vote on the CDU/CSU's 5-point plan for a stricter migration policy, which came about with the votes of the AfD, Homann wrote, among other things: "German conservatism is in danger of failing historically for the second time since 1933."

Secretary General considers equating with Nazi era indecent

This in turn got the CDU Secretary General riled up. "Equating yesterday's vote in the German Bundestag with the seizure of power by the National Socialists in 1933 is dishonest and relativizes the darkest chapter in German history. That is indecent," emphasized Unger. The fact that such accusations against the Union parties come from the SPD state leader does not do the political discourse any good.

Unger calls for effective measures against illegal migration

"All parties of the democratic center must now be careful not to overstep the mark. A majority in our country has been calling for effective measures to combat illegal migration and return those obliged to leave the country, and not just since the horrific acts in Solingen, Magdeburg and Aschaffenburg," argued Unger. The SPD and Greens in particular had rejected every outstretched hand from the CDU and CSU.

"Friedrich Merz's proposals on migration policy are widely supported by the population. Anyone who does not want to jeopardize our democracy and social cohesion must not turn a blind eye to this," explained Unger.

SPD leader is "appalled and angry"

Homann had accused the CDU/CSU of "unscrupulously making common cause" with the AfD. CDU leader Friedrich Merz had "obviously lost all decency": "You don't make pacts with the Höcke party", wrote Homann with regard to AfD right-winger Björn Höcke. He was "appalled and angry".

On Wednesday, the CDU/CSU narrowly passed its five-point plan for a tougher migration policy through the Bundestag with votes from the AfD, FDP and independents. For the first time, the AfD secured a majority in plenary. On Friday, parliament will vote on a CDU/CSU bill. It contains regulations to curb migration.