Europe live: Germany’s parliament discusses draft law aimed at controlling migration

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Berlin protest against CDU/CSU’s migration policy – in pictures

People protest in front of the headquarters of the Christian Democratic Union, CDU, against a migration vote at parliament Bundestag with far-right support of the Alternative for Germany party AfD. Photograph: Christoph Soeder/AP

A protester holds a sign reading "No CDU. Fascists never stop been fascists. History has shown that you don't argue with them" in front of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party headquarters. Photograph: Christian Mang/Reuters

A protester holds a sign reading "Merz resigns!" in front of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party headquarters. Photograph: Christian Mang/Reuters

Protesters gather during a rally in front of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party's headquarters. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA

Morning opening: Influx Limitation Act

The focus is back on Germany today, where the Bundestag will discuss the Influx Limitation Act, a draft law aimed at controlling migration better by tightening the rules in the existing laws on residence.

This is not a drill: unlike the vote on Wednesday, which was on a non-binding motion, this is an actual draft law.

Even if it is almost impossible for it to complete the legislative process before next month’s election, it sends a strong signal of intent and marks another milestone in German politics. And you can feel the tensions rising every day now.

On Thursday, former chancellor Angela Merkel has criticised CDU/CSU leader, and likely future chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for breaking the “firewall” and passing the motion on Wednesday with the help of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland.

Separately, Auschwitz survivors criticised the vote, which one of them, Albrecht Weinberg, saying directly: “What happened in the Bundestag on Wednesday reminded me of Germany in 1933 of how Hitler and the Nazi party managed to come to power through legitimate means.”

On Thursday night, a big group of protesters also showed up in front of the CDU/CSU headquarters to express their frustration.

Protesters gather during a rally in front of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party’s headquarters in Berlin. Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA

For Merz, there is no easy way out. If he passes the draft law once again relying on the AfD votes, he will get more criticism in the final three weeks of the campaign. But if he suddenly fails to get a majority, he will appear weak and incapable of delivering on his promises.

Merz faces a perennial question of how to deal with the rise of the far right and whether more mainstream parties can make a dent in their electoral prospects by taking some of their language and ideas. But the fifth anniversary of Brexit today reminds us how it can end.

The debate on the proposal 20/12804 is scheduled to start 10:30am. We will bring you the latest.

There is also plenty of stories elsewhere in Europe, so it’s likely to be a lively one!

It’s Friday, 31 January 2025, and this is Europe live. It’s Jakub Krupa here.

Good morning.