German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel engaged in a sharp verbal confrontation in the Bundestag this week, following the far-right party's recent electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD secured nearly 44% of the vote in the state, a result Merz described as "seismic" for the nation, while his own conservative party saw its support drop significantly.
During the session, which was marked by frequent interruptions from AfD lawmakers, Merz characterized the party as a "destructive force." He specifically criticized their "remigration" policies, arguing that such measures would cripple essential sectors like healthcare and hospitality. Merz further stated that the AfD's approach to migration would effectively function as "ethnic cleansing" for the country's skilled workforce, noting that one in six skilled workers in Germany has a migration background.
Weidel countered by attacking the Chancellor’s coalition with the Social Democrats, claiming the government had driven the country toward financial instability and failed to address public safety concerns related to migration. She argued that the election results in Saxony-Anhalt demonstrated a clear rejection of the current administration's policies.
The debate grew so chaotic that Bundestag President Julia Klöckner intervened to maintain order, warning members that the chamber was not a "football pitch." The political tension coincides with the AfD's ongoing efforts to form a government in Saxony-Anhalt, where they currently fall three seats short of an outright majority. While the party has expressed interest in potential cooperation with other factions, including the left-wing populist BSW, mainstream parties continue to maintain a "firewall" policy against forming coalitions with the far-right.
Meanwhile, the AfD's performance received public praise from US President Donald Trump, who linked the party's success to concerns over immigration. A scheduled phone call between Trump and the German Chancellor regarding the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks was postponed by the German government without a specified reason.
Source: BBC News
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