Rudolph Angler Germany’s centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) sparked controversy after introducing a strict migration policy in the Bundestag, backed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Critics accuse the CDU of breaking Germany’s post-Nazi political norms by allowing far-right votes to pass their border control measures.
Protests erupted across Germany, with demonstrators condemning the CDU for aligning with nationalist forces. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly criticized Friedrich Merz, calling his approach “wrong.”
Friedrich Merz, the CDU’s chancellor candidate, insists his party will “never” work with the AfD, calling them Germany’s biggest political threat.
Speaking at the CDU party conference in Berlin, he reaffirmed that the far-right party opposes Germany’s Western alliances, the euro, and NATO.
His CSU counterpart Markus Söder echoed his stance, vowing to fight the AfD “with all our determination” and refusing any cooperation.
However, critics argue that Merz’s migration policy indirectly enabled AfD influence, as their votes helped secure a narrow majority for his border control proposals.
Left-wing BSW leader Sahra Wagenknecht attacked Merz and the CDU/CSU, warning that their policies fuel AfD’s rise.
“If they remain alone in the Bundestag with AfD, the misery continues, and by 2029, the AfD is in the chancellery,” she said.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz accused Merz of breaking his promise not to depend on AfD support, suggesting he cannot be trusted to keep them out of government.
Merz, leading in polls ahead of the February 23 election, dismissed the criticism, insisting he only advocates stricter migration policies.
Despite protests, he vowed to stay the course on migration, blaming centre-left governing parties for failing to support necessary reforms.