It has sparked a split of opinions among politicians in Germany. But on Thursday the Bundestag voted in favour of the controversial UN migration pact.

In the ballot 372 MPs voted in favour of signing the pact, 153 voted no and 141 abstained following a debate on the pact.

As part of the vote, a motion was also raised which states that the pact has no “law-altering or legislative effect” so that Germany can decide its migration policy itself. However, as the pact is legally non-binding, countries who sign it are under no obligation to take in extra migrants or refugees.

The United Nation’s Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration marks the first time the world organization has agreed on a list of global objectives to tackle the challenges involved in migration for individual migrants, and at the same time to maximize benefits for the countries taking in immigrants.

The agreement is being formed to deal with the huge number of people from across the world who are leaving their countries to seek refuge elsewhere because of conflict, poverty or other reasons. Germany played a key role in the height of the refugee and migration crisis in 2015, which has resulted in a polarization of opinions across the country.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and speakers from the centre-right Union, centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, Left and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) defended the pact against criticism from politicians, including those within the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Maas (SPD) said the pact aimed to reduce migration and its negative effects.

“That is why we in Germany also benefit from the fact that it will be adopted. This pact is also in Germany’s interest,” he said.

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