German Parties at Odds After Agreeing Migrant Policy in Coalition Talks

Germany's would-be coalition parties reached a compromise on the divisive question of family reunions for migrants on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle in talks on a ruling alliance, although both sides immediately presented varying interpretations of it. Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) are in talks to end a four-month political impasse and agree a deal within a week to rule Europe's biggest economy together. Migration, and in particular the question of family reunions, is one of the thorniest issues. Under the agreement, a suspension of family re-unifications introduced in 2016 for migrants with "subsidiary protection" will be extended until July 31. That applies to people who are not deemed to be personally persecuted but in whose home country war, torture or other inhumane treatment exist. Syrians, the biggest group of asylum applicants in Germany, are increasingly being granted subsidiary protection, only getting the right to stay a year, although that can be extended. The lower house of parliament, the Bundestag, will vote on the extension on Thursday as the suspension is due to expire.