Editor's note: Thomas O. Falk, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a London-based political analyst and commentator. He holds a Master of Arts in international relations from the University of Birmingham and specializes in U.S. affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

The recent terror attack in Solingen is a stark reminder that Germany's immigration policy, or rather the lack thereof, is in dire need of an overhaul. Despite a slew of promises from the government, there has been little progress in addressing the deep-rooted problems associated with immigration, leaving the country vulnerable to both social unrest and political upheaval.

Unfortunately, the nation can no longer take solace in a booming economy either. In fact, Germany's economy, once the robust engine of Europe, is faltering. Germany was one of the worst performing major economies last year, with its GDP contracting by 0.3 percent. Inflation remains stubbornly high, eroding the purchasing power of ordinary Germans, unemployment is creeping up, and consumer confidence is plummeting.

Moreover, under the traffic light coalition of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the polarization in German society is reaching unprecedented levels. Debates over immigration, climate change, and national identity are no longer mere political disagreements but have become existential battles. The center, once a place of consensus and compromise, is eroding as fringe voices grow louder. Social media amplifies these divisions, creating echo chambers that deepen mistrust and hostility between different segments of society.

Against this backdrop, the knife attack in Solingen on August 23 is not just another tragic incident but a glaring symptom of a larger problem. The attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian refugee whose application had been denied, carried out a brutal assault during a festival celebrating Solingen's 650th anniversary. Three people were murdered, and eight others were injured. The Islamic State claimed responsibility, asserting that the attacker was one of their "soldiers."

The attacker was due to be deported last year. However, due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, this did not occur. This failure is emblematic of the broader paralysis within Germany's immigration system. Despite repeated warnings about the security risks posed by certain segments of the immigrant population, the government has been unable – or unwilling – to take decisive action. Scholz's response to the attack has been predictably tepid, with calls for stricter knife laws and vague promises of tightening immigration controls​.

These promises, however, ring hollow. The reality is that Germany's immigration system is broken, and the government lacks the political will to fix it. The problem is not merely one of inadequate laws, but of a systemic failure to enforce existing regulations. After all, the attacker should never have been in Germany in the first place, and the fact that he was allowed to remain is a damning indictment of the government's incompetence.

This paralysis has direct political implications that will further divide Germany.

The states of Thuringia and Saxony held elections this weekend. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), a party already under surveillance by the German domestic intelligence agency for its extremist tendencies, is polling alarmingly well.

These numbers are unprecedented for a party that was once on the fringes of German politics, and they are a direct result of the political establishment's failure to address the concerns of ordinary Germans.

If the AfD wins, it will mark a watershed moment in Germany's post-war history. For the first time, a far-right party with a history of xenophobia and ties to extremist groups could gain control of German state governments and it is the fault of the political establishment's inability to listen to its people – a vacuum the AfD is all too eager to fill.

The party's message is simple: the current government is not only ineffective but also indifferent to the security and well-being of its citizens. Its rhetoric may be divisive and dangerous, but it is resonating with a growing number of Germans who feel left behind by a political class that is more concerned with platitudes than with real solutions.

Germany undoubtably stands at a crossroads and its leaders must wake up to the reality that their inaction is not just a political liability but a national security threat. The time for empty promises is over. What is needed now is decisive action to secure the borders, enforce immigration laws, and protect the safety and well-being of citizens. Anything less is an abdication of responsibility that Germany can no longer afford.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on X, formerly Twitter, to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)