"Our signal is clear": Dobrindt relies on the European Court of Justice on migration

Interior Minister Dobrindt has been in office for a month and is drawing up an initial assessment of his migration turnaround. The number of asylum applications has fallen by 50 percent, and this message has been understood throughout Europe and the world. In the legal dispute over the border regime, the CSU politician believes the European Court of Justice has the final say.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt wants to leave the decision on the rejection of asylum seekers at Germany's borders to the European Court of Justice. "I am convinced that our measures are within the bounds of European law," the CSU politician told the Funke Media Group newspapers. "We must bring about a migration turnaround, among other things, to prevent political forces like the AfD from being able to implement radical solutions."

Dobrindt reiterated that he will not be deterred by the Berlin Administrative Court's emergency ruling. "We are sticking to our course and the increased border controls. The court noted that our justification for the application of Article 72 – an exception rule in European law – is insufficient. We will provide sufficient justification, but the European Court of Justice should decide on that."

When asked what the emergency consisted of, Dobrindt replied: "It's about the fact that Germany is overwhelmed in so many important areas of life. Cities, municipalities, and districts are at their limits." The housing market, kindergartens and schools, our healthcare system – the overburdening is very concrete in many areas. We are at a societal tipping point." This creates a need to protect public order. "I consider the application of Article 72 to be justified."

Dobrindt sharply criticized the threats against Berlin's administrative judges. Criticism of court decisions is certainly possible in a constitutional state. "However, threats of violence and attempts at intimidation against judges are absolutely unacceptable," the minister said. "I can only condemn that."

More than 26,000 rejections at the border since September

One month after taking office as Interior Minister, Dobrindt pointed to the first successes of the migration turnaround. "In May, the number of asylum applications fell by 50 percent compared to the previous year," the CSU politician told the newspapers. "Our message is clear: Migration policy in Germany has changed. This is understood in Europe and the world."

Since May 8—the day he issued the order to the Federal Police—3,278 people have been turned back at the German border, Dobrindt announced. "Among them were 160 people who sought asylum." Since the introduction of controls at all German borders in September 2024, a total of more than 26,000 people have been turned back. This number is "quite considerable."

Dobrindt emphasized: "There isn't a single button you can push and the migration turnaround will work." A multitude of measures are necessary to implement a reorganization of the migration system. "This includes suspending family reunification and ending the automatic naturalization process," he said. "Germany's magnetic effect is too great. By rejecting refugees at the border, we are sending a signal that the word 'asylum' does not automatically grant you access to the Federal Republic of Germany."