Merkel ally reiterates criticism of her migrant policy

BERLIN – A key figure in Angela Merkel's conservative bloc is putting renewed pressure on the chancellor for changes to her policies on migrants.

Horst Seehofer, head of the Bavarian-only Christian Social Union, the sister party to Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, reiterated in an interview with Focus magazine Friday that he wanted a general "clarification" of her migrant policies by the end of October, though he wasn't expecting "every detail."

Seehofer, who has long criticized her welcoming approach, reiterated his desire for an annual migrant cap — something Merkel has rejected.

Separately, he told Der Spiegel magazine that without a consensus, it wouldn't make sense for him to make his traditional appearance at Merkel's party congress in December.

Merkel's coalition leaders plan closed-door talks in Berlin on Sunday.