Last Friday’s tragic knife attack in Solingen, Germany, by a refugee with suspected ties to ISIS has sparked a wave of anti-immigration sentiment among German politicians. The attack, which claimed three lives and injured eight, has been claimed by ISIS, although the claims are still under verification.
This incident has further fueled political tensions ahead of key regional elections in eastern German states, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is expected to gain strength. AfD leaders have seized on the attack to push for stricter immigration policies, with demands for bans on immigration and naturalization.
Conservative politicians, including Friedrich Merz, have also called for a reevaluation of Germany’s immigration laws and stricter border controls. Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced efforts to limit irregular migration and facilitate repatriation.
However, critics like Lamya Kaddor of the Green Party warn against knee-jerk reactions and emphasize the need to address radicalization and online extremism rather than imposing blanket immigration restrictions. The upcoming elections may determine the direction of Germany’s immigration policy and how it deals with the aftermath of the Solingen attack.