Migrant Labour in the Face of Rising Far-Right Politics in Germany: A Historical Materialist Policy Analysis of Migration Policies

This research primarily aims to examine the development of immigration and integration policies in Germany and the political-economic background of migrant labour policies. Historical materialist policy analysis (HMPA) will be used to understand and explain the migration policy preferences of the German government. HMPA views policy processes as a contested arena where various class interests are reflected in statecraft. Consequently, policies emerge as the result of these intricate processes, which are ultimately guided and shaped by the state apparatus.

The study posits that labour market policy and labour regime preferences are key factors in the social integration of migrants. This premise allows us to link migrant integration and labour market policies. In the aftermath of the 2008 global crisis, a strategic overlap emerged between refugee reintegration and labour market policies in the European political economy.

The policy documents of government and business sectors present an explicitly pro-migration stance, with very positive and supportive discourse regarding immigration processes. Analysis of these documents and integration processes reveals a coherent and unified attitude among policy actors, rather than a contradictory one. However, recent European elections and state elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg have shown a rise in support for the anti-migrant, far-right AfD party. Public discussions about refugees reveal a less positive attitude. An anti-migrant sentiment is gaining ground in society and, increasingly, in the political sphere as well. This contrast between official policy and public sentiment poses a complex challenge for German policymakers. They must balance maintaining an open, welcoming stance towards immigrants—crucial for addressing labour shortages and demographic challenges—with addressing the concerns of a growing population segment uneasy about the pace and scale of immigration. This paper examines this contradiction and analyses how it's reflected in the governance of migration policies.