The centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) sparked controversy after proposing a stricter migration policy in the Bundestag, which gained support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The motion, which called for tighter border controls and increased deportations, passed last Wednesday with a narrow majority, thanks to AfD votes. Critics accused the CDU of breaking a long-standing post-Nazi taboo against collaborating with nationalist parties.
Protests erupted across Germany, with demonstrators condemning CDU leader Friedrich Merz for legitimizing the far-right by accepting their backing.
Despite the political firestorm, Merz insisted that the CDU would “never” work with the AfD, calling it his “most important opponent” in the upcoming elections on February 23.
Speaking at the CDU federal party conference in Berlin, Merz vowed that his party would not cooperate with the AfD before or after the election.
“This party stands against everything our country and party built in the past decades,” he said. “It opposes our Western orientation, the euro, and NATO.”
Markus Söder, leader of the CDU’s sister party CSU, echoed this stance, stating, “No, no, no to any form of cooperation with the AfD. We will fight them with all our determination.”
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel issued a rare public rebuke, calling Merz’s decision to accept AfD support “wrong”.
Current Chancellor Olaf Scholz also accused Merz of breaking his word, questioning whether the CDU leader could still be trusted not to form a government with the AfD.
Meanwhile, left-wing BSW party leader Sahra Wagenknecht attacked both CDU/CSU and AfD, arguing that they were leading the country into decline. She warned, “If they dominate the Bundestag, the AfD could take the chancellery by 2029.”
Despite the growing criticism, Merz defended his stance, arguing that his tougher migration policies reflect the will of conservatives and many voters.
He blamed centre-left governing parties for blocking migration reforms, asserting that “we are being attacked, but it’s important to stay the course.“
