In Germany, concerns grow over perceived oversaturation as refugees arrive from multiple directions. Local municipalities and regional authorities report being overwhelmed, a sentiment echoed by the president who recalled in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera that Germany absorbed a large share of the year’s asylum petitions in the first half.
By September, official figures from Destatis, the Federal Statistical Office, showed 220,000 people in the asylum and protection system. The number marked a 46% year-on-year increase. It also included another 45,000 people who entered the country in an irregular manner and 1.2 million Ukrainians who have entered Germany since the start of the Russian invasion more than a year and a half ago. Asylum seekers themselves are not included in these statistics because they already enjoy social benefits and easier access to the labor market under a specific community regulation established for displaced Ukrainians. While these categories differ, the burden on small and large municipalities, including the heavily indebted capital Berlin, remains substantial.
The rise of the far right
In many municipalities, political tinder has grown as the issue becomes a focal point of debate. Polls show the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a second-place position regarding voting intentions, with only the conservative bloc trailing behind. The situation calls to mind the surge seen in 2015 when Germany welcomed more than a million refugees, mainly from Syria, Afghanistan, and North Africa, straining national resources. At that time, Chancellor Angela Merkel urged conservatives to adopt a cap. The AfD, which began as a Eurosceptic party, quickly gained traction as an anti-asylum protest voice and entered Parliament as a major opposition force.
Merkel’s stance avoided an explicit upper limit, but containment persisted. Most arrivals happened under a migration agreement between the European Union and Turkey, with Berlin playing a leading role in shaping it. The current government, a coalition of social democrats, greens, and liberals, faces pressure from both the right and far right. Calls for a cap resurfaced, driven by the conservative bloc led by the right-leaning Friedrich Merz, who has often clashed with Merkel’s approach.
Proposals about setting a limit have faced opposition on the grounds that they would contravene the fundamental right to asylum. Scholz’s deputy spokesman emphasized the need for a European solution in response to ongoing migration challenges. A notable development occurred when Germany suspended voluntary admission or resettlement programs for refugees arriving in Italy, a move met with swift clarification. Berlin then signaled support for the immigration plan proposed by the European Commission, voiced by President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Lampedusa.
Poland, the anti-asylum hawk that distributes visas with bribes
In the European Union, Poland has provoked disappointment among several member states at Brussels over its handling of immigration policy. Beyond controversial judicial reforms and cultural debates, the government faces scrutiny for its stance on asylum and irregular migration. With general elections approaching, the ultra-conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) between Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and party leader Jarosław Kaczyński remains eager to push back against the EC’s migration stance. The plan to present new immigration rules to the Parliament coincides with national elections, creating a tense political moment as Warsaw signals its reluctance to fully align with Brussels on asylum policy. PiS argues that Poles should reject the EC line, highlighting Poland’s role in welcoming millions of Ukrainians while resisting additional asylum seekers from other irregular routes.
A separate controversy involves alleged irregularities in the distribution of work visas through select consulates in Asia and Africa. Polish authorities deny a mass bribery scheme, noting only a small number of cases and suggesting that some media reports exaggerate the scope. Critics in both the media and opposition argue that the issue touches on broader concerns about governance and transparency. Brussels and Berlin have urged Warsaw to address these concerns clearly within the broader context of EU migration policy and the movement of people within the Schengen area. It is also noted that many Ukrainian refugees who cross into Poland do not remain there; they continue their journeys to other EU countries, seeking freedom of movement within the community.
The evolving landscape of asylum and migration in Europe continues to shape political discourse, social welfare considerations, and cross-border cooperation. While governments weigh practical responses to asylum applications and labor-market access, residents and local officials navigate the daily realities of housing, social services, and integration. The discussion remains deeply interconnected with EU-wide policies and the shared responsibility of member states to manage irregular migration, protect vulnerable people, and maintain social cohesion across the union.