How Germany's CSU want to tighten up rules on immigration

As members of the Christian Social Union (CSU) prepare to gather in Upper Bavaria for their annual winter conference, one issue looks set to dominate the discussions: immigration. 

Ahead of the three-day retreat at Seeon Monastery near Chiemsee, a leaked position paper sets out a number of tough policy changes that the party hopes to implement after the next election - if they return to government. 

The document, which has been obtained by Merkur and DPA, includes stricter rules for securing - and keeping - a German residence permit, alongside proposals for stamping out illegal immigration and restricting the rights of asylum seekers. 

It repeats some of the policies already set out in the CSU and CDU's joint manifesto, but in some places goes further and strikes a sharper tone. 

Speaking to Merkur on Wednesday, CSU parliamentary leader Alexander Dobrindt said Germany needed a "tough course correction" in its migration policies.

READ ALSO: The key election pledges that will affect foreign residents

"This requires a tough stance with rejections at the borders, the granting of protection in third countries and consistent deportations," he added.

With less than eight weeks to go before the February 23rd elections, the CSU and CDU are currently leading in the polls with 31 percent.

The far-right AfD, who all mainstream parties have ruled out working with, are at 20.5 percent, while the Social Democrats (SPD) are at 16.5 percent.

If the numbers remain stable, the CDU/CSU alliance looks set to become the largest party in parliament and potentially head up the next governing coalition. 

What changes are the CSU calling for?

One of the most significant reforms the CSU is proposing relates to the conditions required for residence permits for living and working in Germany. 

According the position paper, these permits should only be granted in future if applicants can prove that they have an adequate income to support themselves without relying on welfare.

"Anyone wishing to obtain a residence permit in Germany must not have to rely on social benefits to support themselves," the CSU writes. "They must be able to secure their livelihood through their own work."

CSU parliamentary leader Alexander Dobrindt speaks to the press in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Michael Kappeler

Currently, only applications for EU Blue Cards are directly linked to income. When foreigners apply for permanent residency or naturalisation, the authorities also conduct a risk assessment to check whether the applicant is likely to rely on benefits in the future.

The CSU also reiterates its call for the deportation of foreigners who commit crimes or are considered dangerous.

READ ALSO: 'Not woke' - Conservatives outline right-wing vision for Germany ahead of elections

"In future...anyone who commits a criminal offence will be expelled," the paper states. "Anyone who commits a crime or intentionally commits multiple offences must leave our country." 

If immigrants can't be immediately deported, they should be indefinitely detained until they can be returned home, the paper adds.

'Entry ban on illegal migrants'

If the CDU and CSU win the next general election, the CSU wants to address irregular border crossings as an urgent priority. 

According to the paper, the incoming Interior Minister should give border guards the right to reject migrants before they are able to enter Germany.

"Anyone travelling from an EU member state or another safe third country is no longer in danger," the paper states.

Since Germany has the right to return asylum seekers to other safe nations, "we want to use this to implement a de facto entry ban for illegal migrants," the CSU explains. 

READ ALSO: Germany to maintain heightened border controls beyond March

To this end, the party wants to put the police in a legal and technical position "to be able to read the mobile devices of persons attempting to enter the country at the borders".

The leaked paper also addresses specific groups of refugees, such as those from the Ukraine and Syria.

Under a future CSU and CDU-led government, new entrants from the war-torn Ukraine would no longer be able to claim Bürgergeld. It is unclear what social support they would instead be entitled to. 

In terms of Syria, which has recently seen the fall of the brutal Baschar al-Assad, a "roadmap" should be drawn up to facilitate the return of refugees, the CSU says.

Subsidiary protection and family reunification should be suspended for Syrians, while offenders should be immediately deported. Those who want to return to their home country should be supported in doing so, while those who refuse should be threatened with deportation.

READ ALSO: What will happen to Germany’s one million Syrians after Assad’s fall?

However, certain groups of Syrians who entered Germany in 2014 and 2015 and have integrated into society should have the ability to remain, the CSU adds.

"People who have a decent job in Germany can be given the prospect of staying," the party writes. 

The CSU's winter conference will take place at Kloster Seeon from Monday, January 6th until Wednesday, January 8th. This year, CDU leader and chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz will attend as a guest of honour.