Permanent controls at the Schengen borders. The denial of entry to people seeking asylum at the German border if they have already traveled through another EU country. Detention of those who have been told they have to leave the country.

These are just some of the measures that Friedrich Merz, the Christian Democrats' (CDU) candidate for chancellor, wants to see implemented. He currently leads the polls and has the best chance of forming the next German government.

Earlier this year, with votes from the liberal Free Democrats (FDP) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), he was able to push through a motion in parliament proposing that migrants be turned away from German borders.

Merz's willingness to cooperate with the AfD was seen as breaching a taboo and endangering the "firewall" that separates the mainstream German political parties from the extreme right. The move triggered mass protests across Germany. But if he becomes chancellor, Merz's plans could have an impact on all of Europe.

Helena Hahn from the Brussels-based think tank European Policy Center explained to DW that the basis of Merz's proposals was article 72 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The treaty allows member states to deviate from their responsibilities under the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) for reasons of national security — for........

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