A new phase of pragmatic foreign policy is being ushered in by the German government, as, despite the fact that Berlin does not officially recognize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, it is moving forward with direct contacts and agreements with it for the mass deportation of Afghan migrants.

As Politico reports, the decision marks a profound shift in German asylum policy, as the ruling conservative CDU party, pressured by the rapid rise of the AfD, has pledged to drastically reduce migrant flows. Afghans are the second largest group of asylum seekers in Germany after Syrians, and the new policies directly target them.

Agreement on refoulements

Interior Minister Alexander Dobride announced that “very soon there will be an agreement that will allow for regular repatriation to Afghanistan on scheduled flights.” He explained that technical talks with the Kabul authorities are at an advanced stage. Initially, the deportations will be of Afghans convicted of crimes, but the possibility of extending the measure to those without protection status is not ruled out.

Europeans are “leading by example”

During a meeting of interior ministers in Copenhagen, Dobrid revealed that many European countries are considering the German model. “The repatriations we carried out in Afghanistan have generated a lot of interest. We discussed who could participate and how,” he said.

Austria and Belgium have already indicated their intention to follow Berlin’s line. Belgian Immigration Minister Anneline van Beauchoit said “we also have to talk to regimes we don’t support,” calling Germany a “beacon” in handling the issue.

The new doctrine of “German Realpolitik”

The shift represents a break with the Angela Merkel era, when Germany was the main European destination for asylum seekers. Merz believes that that policy contributed to the rise of the right-wing parties, which now rivals his party in the polls.

The government is thus attempting to regain control of the political narrative by promoting a more “pragmatic” approach – even if it means working with the Taliban regime. Germany has already accepted two Taliban officials to be “integrated into the administration of the Afghan consulates,” a government spokesman said.

For the Taliban government, the development is a diplomatic victory. Until now, most Afghan consulates in the West have been controlled by officials of the former pro-Western regime. The entry of Taliban into the consular structures is seen as a first step towards further recognition.

Dangers and reactions

Experts, however, warn that the Taliban will seek new concessions in return for cooperation. “They have a long history of taking something and then asking for more,” warned Professor William Malley of the Australian National University.

Concerns have also been raised about the Taliban’s access to personal data of Afghan citizens in Germany. Former consul Hamid Nangialai Kabiri, who resigned in protest, said biometric data and resettlement details of Afghans living in more than 20 countries are kept in consulates. According to him, this data can be used for revenge against dissidents and their families in Afghanistan.