German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Philipp Ackermann, on Friday commented on the possibility of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump seeking a third term by revoking the 22nd Amendment, expressing skepticism about its feasibility. Speaking at the Pune Public Policy Festival on the theme “Trump’s World: How the Rest Will Deal with Political Change in the United States,” Ackermann remarked that the chances of such a move were “very little.”
“There is not an overwhelming majority,” Ackermann said, referring to the composition of the U.S. Congress. “The House is very close, and the Senate is also very close. In two years’ time, there will be midterm elections, and history shows that the pendulum often swings the other way. It is my forecast that you will not have both houses under Republican leadership. Therefore, I think the chances of revoking the 22nd Amendment are very little.”
Ackermann also touched upon Germany’s immigration policies, describing migration as a key issue in the country’s internal politics. He highlighted that Germany has transformed into a significant immigration destination over the past two decades, with 30% of its population having at least one non-German parent and 20% having two non-German parents.
“Germany has turned into a complete immigration country in the last 20-25 years. Saying that we can close the door is absurd because we are living off migration,” Ackermann stated.
The ambassador noted that Germany has some of the most liberal immigration policies in the Western world, allowing individuals with the right qualifications to enter the country and search for employment without requiring a pre-existing job contract. He praised the contributions of the Indian community, many of whom have taken advantage of these opportunities.
Ackermann acknowledged, however, that Germany has faced significant challenges related to refugee and asylum-seeking immigration, particularly during major influxes in recent years. He cited the arrival of millions of Syrians in 2015-16 and Ukrainians between 2022 and 2024 as examples of how the system was strained.
“What overwhelmed people was the refugee and asylum-seeking illegal immigration we experienced in the last decade,” Ackermann said. “What we are trying to achieve is to reduce illegal migration while promoting legal migration.”
The ambassador emphasized the importance of preserving Germany’s asylum laws, which provide protection for persecuted individuals, while simultaneously managing migration more effectively. He concluded by reaffirming Germany’s commitment to fostering legal migration and integrating migrants into the economy and society.
“Germany’s approach aims to strike a balance: maintaining our tradition of asylum while ensuring that legal migration is a priority,” Ackermann added.
