Berlin – Germany and Denmark have announced a joint commitment to intensifying their stance on immigration, calling for urgent reforms to the European Union’s asylum rules in order to preserve what they describe as the “social cohesion” of their respective nations.

Following a bilateral meeting in Berlin on Wednesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen both expressed support for tougher border control and migration measures amid growing political pressure across Europe.

Frederiksen, who has led Denmark’s Social Democrats since 2019, reaffirmed her long-standing "zero refugee" policy, which has seen Denmark grant very few asylum applications in recent years. "If we are to maintain the social cohesion of our societies, we cannot accept everyone who wants to come to Europe," she said.

Germany, under Merz’s conservative leadership, is now looking to emulate aspects of Denmark’s hardline approach. “Denmark has long been a role model for us in migration policy,” said Merz during the press conference. “What Denmark has achieved in recent years is truly exemplary.”

Merz stressed that while Germany has historically embraced its identity as a country of immigration, public patience is wearing thin. “We must not overburden our society’s willingness to accept and integrate newcomers,” he stated. “We are at the limit of what we can do.”

The two leaders said they are committed to working together to develop new EU-wide frameworks that can both reduce the number of arrivals and ensure faster repatriation of migrants who do not qualify for asylum.

This growing shift reflects broader sentiment across the continent. Anti-immigration rhetoric has gained ground in European politics, contributing to the rise of far-right parties. In Germany, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) recently made significant electoral gains, coming in second in regional elections behind Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance. The campaign season was dominated by debates on migration, especially after a string of violent incidents allegedly involving foreign nationals.

Denmark has long maintained some of the strictest immigration policies in Europe, a trajectory shaped over two decades by the influence of right-wing parties. These policies have included measures designed to deter asylum seekers and increase the barriers to citizenship.

As migration remains a divisive issue across the continent, the joint message from Berlin and Copenhagen signals a harder stance that could reshape the EU’s overall approach to asylum and border policy.


By WafricNews Desk.