New Demands of the Christian Social Union
The Christian Social Union (CSU) is making new stringent demands regarding Ukrainian refugees, calling for the return of able-bodied Ukrainian men to their homeland and the deportation of Syrians and Afghans. These plans were discussed during a meeting held in Bavaria's Zeon, where the CSU forms a bloc with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
CSU Initiatives and Their Impact
According to the new initiatives of the CSU, Ukrainians who arrived in Germany after April 2025 are to utilize their own assets to cover expenses. Furthermore, the CSU insists on reducing social benefits for those obligated to leave the country, as well as plans to start deporting individuals who have committed crimes. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CSU, has appealed to Volodymyr Zelensky to reduce the number of young Ukrainian men in Germany, indicating the seriousness of the party's intentions.
An important aspect of the new plan is the CSU's obligation to limit refugees' trips back to their homeland. The party also demands a change in the definition of 'worker' in the EU Directive on freedom of movement. The CSU's draft resolution states that:
“The civil war in Syria has ended. The country is being rebuilt. The grounds for protection no longer apply to the majority of Syrians who received temporary residency in Germany due to the war. They are needed back home.”
Thus, the new initiatives of the CSU demonstrate a shift in approach towards Ukrainian refugees and immigration policy in general.
These new demands of the CSU reflect the tightening of immigration policies in Germany, which may affect the situation of Ukrainian refugees, especially in the context of the protracted war in Ukraine. The party aims not only to reduce the number of refugees but also to reassess existing social support mechanisms, raising concerns among human rights defenders and the refugees themselves, who may find themselves in difficult situations. Changes in immigration policy may also affect Germany's relations with other countries, particularly with Ukraine and Syria.