BERLIN -- Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued rare public criticism of her successor as the country’s center-right leader, Friedrich Merz, for advancing new migration legislation with the help of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This unusual intervention from Merkel has stirred considerable discussion just weeks before Germany’s forthcoming elections on February 23, 2025.
The CDU leader, Merz, put forth proposals for stricter immigration controls, including measures to turn away irregular migrants attempting to enter Germany. This non-binding motion was narrowly approved by parliament on January 29, 2025, with support from the AfD, marking the first time such cooperation occurred between the CDU and the far-right party. It passed by just three votes, bolstered significantly by 75 votes from the AfD, igniting national outrage.
Merkel’s critique pointed out Merz’s deviation from his previous commitment made just two months earlier, where he emphasized the importance of retaining democratic integrity by rejecting collaboration with the AfD when discussing legislative proposals. “I think it was wrong no longer to feel committed to this proposal... and, on November 29, to enable with open eyes for the first time a majority with votes from AfD,” Merkel stated, underscoring her concern about the normalization of far-right influence within German politics.
Merz defended his actions by arguing the necessity of addressing rising violence and crime attributed to irregular migration. He stated, “A policy is not wrong just because the wrong people back it,” implying his willingness to pursue legislative goals, regardless of support from parties like the AfD. His remarks have faced backlash, with opponents arguing such collaboration undermines democratic principles.
Public sentiment surrounding this issue has intensified after several violent incidents connected to migrants, including the recent stabbing attack by a rejected asylum seeker, which claimed two lives, including those of a child and another individual. This crime has placed migration firmly on the agenda of the electoral discourse, prompting Merz to adopt more hard-line positions.
Merkel, maintaining her stance on cooperative democracy even amid crises, expressed the need for all democratic parties to work together to confront societal challenges. “All democratic parties must work together across political boundaries… to do everything they can to prevent such terrible attacks,” she stated. Such comments highlight her concern over eroding democratic norms and the potential long-term impacts this political shift could have on German society.
Criticism has not only arisen from Merkel but also from others within the political sphere, including Berlin Mayor Kai Wegener, who confirmed his commitment against collaborating with far-right elements. “With me - you can rely on it - there will never be cooperation or coalition with the far right,” he assured. This sentiment reflects widespread unease among traditional conservative voters and members of the CDU, who fear the loss of the party's democratic identity.
The political fallout from this legislative maneuver is expected to create rifts within the CDU as well. Political analysts, such as DW's Michaela Küfner, caution Merz’s collaboration with the AfD could alienate the voter base. “Her outright condemnation will alienate voters literally left, right, and center,” Küfner noted, pointing to the significant challenges Merz may face within his party moving forward.
Meanwhile, current Chancellor Olaf Scholz interrupted the debate to characterize the cooperation with AfD as “an unforgivable mistake,” reitering the established democratic consensus against engaging with extremist parties, which has characterized German politics since the end of World War II.
The passage of the migration proposal has reignited discussions about Germany’s immigration policies, particularly following Merkel’s controversial 2015 decision to accept large numbers of refugees fleeing conflict, which Merz now labels as misguided. The curtailing of immigration has emerged as a priority for the CDU party as they vie for votes against the backdrop of rising support for the AfD.
Outside the halls of parliament, protests erupted against the passage of the motion, with several hundred demonstrators from various organizations, including Amnesty International, voicing their disapproval of stricter immigration policies. Many attendees expressed concern about the moral implications of collaborating with the AfD, highlighting fears over growing intolerance and radicalization within the country.
With the elections just around the corner, the outcome of this dispute remains uncertain, but it undoubtedly sets the tone for the future of the CDU under Merz's leadership. The dynamics of German politics appear to be at a crossroads, where traditional alliances and the fundamental values of democracy are being tested against the pressures of populism and fear surrounding migration.
Merkel’s comments and the ensuing political discourse will undoubtedly shape the electorate's perception leading up to the vote, raising pressing questions about the values and direction of the CDU as it navigates these complex challenges.