Chancellor Friedrich Merz says asylum applications in Germany fell by more than half in 2025 and by two‑thirds over two years, claiming his government has “at its core” brought irregular migration under control while still affirming that “we want immigration to Germany.” He argues that Germany’s old model—cheap Russian energy, Chinese intermediate goods, exports worldwide and U.S. protection—is gone for good, and highlights the rapid creation of a National Security Council to coordinate internal and external security so that a stronger economy can also fund higher defence spending.