LISBON, Portugal — In a move that has captured attention ahead of Portugal’s upcoming national election, the country’s caretaker government has announced plans to expel around 18,000 foreigners living in the country without proper authorization.

The announcement was made by Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro on Saturday, who explained that the center-right government will begin issuing notifications to approximately 18,000 individuals living illegally in Portugal. Starting next week, officials will request that 4,500 foreigners voluntarily leave within 20 days.

Portugal’s early general election is scheduled for May 18, following a political shake-up in March. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, leader of the conservative Social Democratic Party, called the snap election after his minority government lost a confidence vote in Parliament and subsequently resigned.

This decision comes at a time when Europe is grappling with the rise of populism, and Portugal is no exception. The far-right Chega party surged into third place during last year’s election, reflecting the growing strength of nationalist movements across the continent.

The mass expulsion of unauthorized immigrants has stirred political debate, with some viewing it as a significant move in the lead-up to the election, which is expected to be a pivotal moment for Portugal’s political future. The government’s action signals a hardline stance on immigration that could shape the national discourse as voters head to the polls.

Source: AP News – Portugal announces the expulsion of 18,000 foreigners ahead of a national election

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Friedrich Merz, a 69-year-old veteran politician known for his hardline stance on migration and love of aviation, is the frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor in the February 23 federal election.

But who is this old-school conservative determined to steer his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), away from Angela Merkel’s centrist legacy?

A Political Comeback Decades in the Making

Merz’s return to frontline politics was set in motion when Merkel stepped down as CDU leader in 2021. After two failed attempts, he finally won party leadership in 2022.

His opportunity for the chancellery arose after the collapse of Germany’s governing coalition—a fragile alliance of the Social Democrats (SPD), Free Democrats (FDP), and Greens—leading to a snap election.

If the CDU wins, Merz will inherit a country in crisis. His promises include:
Reviving the economy after years of stagnation
Cracking down on migration
Lowering taxes
Regaining votes from the far right

However, his path hasn’t been without controversy. A brief flirtation with the hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) weeks before the election triggered backlash and accusations of breaking mainstream parties’ firewall against the AfD.

From Beer Coasters to Big Business: The Making of Merz

Born in 1955 into a conservative Catholic family in Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia, Merz joined the CDU’s youth wing while still in school. He launched his political career in 1989, becoming a Member of the European Parliament at 33.

After one term, he moved to the Bundestag (German parliament), where he made his mark on financial policy. In 2003, he famously proposed simplifying tax rules to the point they could be calculated on the back of a beer coaster.

But his rivalry with Merkel cut his political career short.

2000: Lost CDU leadership bid to Merkel
2002: Merkel replaced him as opposition leader in the Bundestag
2009: Left politics for the private sector

In the corporate world, Merz became a multimillionaire, working as a lawyer and senior counsel at international law firm Mayer Brown. His business background has helped fuel his image as a leader who can fix Germany’s struggling economy, which shrank for a second consecutive year in 2024.

Breaking from Merkel’s ‘Carpet of Fog’

Merz has made no secret of his desire to undo Merkel’s legacy.

He blames her leadership for creating a “carpet of fog” over Germany
He criticized her 2015 open-door refugee policy as a grave mistake
He moved the CDU further to the right to stop voters from defecting to the AfD

His hardline stance on immigration includes:
Rejecting asylum seekers arriving from other EU countries at Germany’s borders
Criticizing liberal welfare policies, accusing Ukrainian refugees of “social tourism” (a phrase he later apologized for)
Slashing welfare spending, arguing against “paying people who are not willing to work”

Merkel, who has largely stayed out of politics, publicly rebuked Merz in January after he pushed an immigration bill with AfD support—though it was ultimately defeated in parliament.

Despite the backlash, Merz has since reaffirmed:
“There is no cooperation with this party [AfD],” he told CNN.

Foreign Policy: Ukraine, Israel, and Trump

On military aid, Merz supports a stronger stance than the outgoing SPD-led government, particularly regarding Ukraine:

He advocates sending long-range Taurus missiles to Kyiv, a step Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refused due to fears of escalating the conflict.
He backs Germany’s continued military aid to Israel while supporting a two-state solution.

Meanwhile, he remains cautious about Trump. In a recent debate, he expressed unease over Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza, but added that it remains unclear “what is really meant seriously.”

On Germany’s defense spending, he has acknowledged that it must increase, though he has been vague on specific targets.

The Final Stretch

Merz’s campaign has focused on:
Economic revival (tax cuts, deregulation, and incentives to work)
Stronger migration controls
More assertive foreign policy

But his elite background has also drawn scrutiny. A passionate aviation enthusiast, Merz is known for flying his own private plane—an expensive hobby for someone who once described himself as “upper middle class”.

With election day approaching, the question remains:
Will Merz finally get his chance to lead Germany?

Source

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BERLIN — While global attention was focused on the recent U.S. presidential election, Germany witnessed a dramatic political shake-up: the collapse of its ruling coalition. Hours after the U.S. election results were confirmed, Chancellor Olaf Scholz publicly declared the end of his fragile three-party alliance, sparking the countdown to a German snap election. Although the exact date isn’t set, it’s expected to occur within the coming months.

Here’s a breakdown of what led to the coalition’s collapse and what to expect moving forward.

Why Did the Coalition Fall Apart?

Germany’s ruling coalition was a tenuous blend of three parties with conflicting ideologies: the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens, who advocate for a robust social safety net and green investment, and the fiscally conservative Free Democratic Party (FDP), which favors limited government and restrained spending.

So, why were they working together? The answer lies in Germany’s increasingly fragmented political landscape, which has made traditional two-party coalitions challenging to form. This shift is largely due to the rise of smaller parties, including the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which now holds second place in national polls, and the populist-left Alliance Sarah Wagenknecht (BSW). As a result, multi-party coalitions may become the norm despite their inherent volatility.

The coalition’s unraveling began last year with a ruling from Germany’s top court. The court outlawed a budgeting workaround the coalition used to bypass the country’s “debt brake” law. Relying on special funds outside the main budget, the workaround was deemed unconstitutional, leaving a €60 billion gap in federal finances. Without the funds needed to bridge ideological divides, the coalition faced mounting pressure from within and low approval ratings. The FDP’s leader, Christian Lindner, repeatedly threatened to pull out, but Scholz preempted him by dismissing Lindner from his cabinet, leading to the FDP’s exit.

Could an Election Happen Quickly?

Germany’s election logistics may complicate matters. Although there is political support for an early vote, Germany’s federal body overseeing elections warned that organizing a vote in early 2025 would present “incalculable risks,” citing potential shortages in paper and printing resources.

What’s Likely to Happen Next?

Current polls suggest that Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), are the frontrunners, with 32% support. They’re likely to lead the next coalition. However, Scholz’s SPD, polling at 16%, trails behind the CDU and the AfD. Given that the CDU has ruled out forming a federal coalition with the AfD, it may once again partner with the SPD or a third party.

The SPD could be under new leadership by then, and if polling trends hold, they may require additional partners to govern effectively. The Greens, polling at around 10%, and the FDP, polling at 4% (below the parliamentary threshold), remain potential coalition candidates, although their ideological differences with the CDU could create tensions.

Why Does This Matter?

Germany’s political uncertainty comes amid escalating global tensions. As leaders debate the timing of a confidence vote, Russia and North Korea appear to be preparing for joint maneuvers against Ukrainian forces. Meanwhile, Russian troops are reportedly making progress along other Ukrainian front lines.

In short, Germany’s political direction and stability are of paramount importance, both domestically and internationally, as it navigates these challenging times.

Source

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