Alliance of German Parties Agreeing on Muzzling Critique of Immigration Policies
In the heart of Germany, the city of Cologne is gearing up for local elections this month, but the debates surrounding immigration have taken a unique turn. A pact signed by all mainstream parties except the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in 2017, and recently renewed, has been the centre of controversy.
This so-called "fairness agreement" prohibits candidates from criticizing immigration or depicting asylum seekers or migrants in a negative light. Establishment parties behind the agreement have every reason to keep the debate around immigration firmly under wraps, as a crack in the coalition was first seen with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
The CDU's district chairwoman, Serap Güler, has been vocal about her stance, arguing that housing refugees in neighbourhoods with challenges is not helping people. This sentiment was echoed when a CDU candidate distributed a leaflet opposing a new asylum shelter in the inner-city district of Agnesviertel.
However, the AfD party, currently polling over 10%, has not signed the agreement. This decision seems to have paid off, as the party has doubled its support since. None of the available sources provide information about any party in the Cologne municipal elections in September 2025 having or not having a contract regarding non-criticism of immigration.
In the midst of this, the debate continues to heat up. Those bound by the "fairness" agreement will not depict asylum seekers or migrants in a negative light. Yet, the AfD party, with its critical stance on immigration, has found a niche in the political landscape.
As the elections approach, the question remains: will the silence on immigration criticism hold, or will the AfD's growing support force a shift in the political discourse? Only time will tell.
One notable aspect is the comment section on articles related to immigration. Only supporters and patrons who donate regularly to the website can comment, adding another layer to the debate.
This article discusses the German parties' pact to silence criticism of immigration, a move that has sparked controversy and raised questions about the future of political discourse in Germany.
