Because of the influx of tens of thousands of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on the Spanish government to get the situation under control as quickly as possible. “The protection of the European Union's external borders is crucial to combating illegal migration,” stressed the CDU politician. His Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has already drawn consequences for Germany's internal borders and announced: “We will extend the option of internal border controls beyond September.”
The German reactions at a glance:
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU): “Spain wants and must get the situation in Ceuta under control as quickly as possible. I therefore welcome Spain's intention not to let illegal migrants onto the European continent. We expect Morocco to take back the illegal migrants without delay.”
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU): “The situation in Ceuta illustrates the volatile situation of illegal migration. Our successes in curbing illegal migration must be maintained and further expanded. Flexible and adapted internal border controls must continue to be maintained for this purpose.”
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU): “What is needed now is rapid and joint action in the interest of the European Union to protect and keep open the Schengen area – one of the EU's greatest achievements.”
AfD leader Alice Weidel: “We must ensure as quickly as possible that those who have illegally entered Ceuta are deported directly. They must never set foot on the European continent. At the same time, the Spanish government must do everything to permanently secure the EU's external border. (...) If necessary, the Schengen area must be suspended with regard to Spain.”
Sebastian Fiedler (domestic policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group): “The main concern is not primarily that the people now arriving in Ceuta will move on to Germany immediately. The real challenge is the signal effect: if smugglers can create the impression that a route promises success, the risk of further migration movements increases.”
Clara Bünger (deputy leader of the Left parliamentary group): “What is happening in Ceuta is not a natural disaster, but the result of political decisions. People are fleeing war, poverty and the climate crisis. Higher walls do not stop them; they only make the flight deadlier. The first priority now is that no one else dies.”
Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP leader): “Defending the European idea also means preventing mass illegal crossings of the EU's external borders and protecting them effectively. (...) An EU that develops very specific ideas about bottle caps and all sorts of bureaucracy, but fails to find a satisfactory solution to this issue, will lose support among the European population.”
Fabio De Masi (BSW leader): “The situation in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta is untenable. European policy needs to send a clear signal that the young men who are making their way there (...) will not gain access to the European mainland.”
A statement from the Greens was not initially available upon request.
