German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz gambled by working with far-right party AfD on immigration rules, but the move backfired. His Christian Democrats’ efforts to toughen borders and accelerate deportations were defeated in Parliament, boosting the AfD and raising concerns about a potential extremist government. The outcome left Mr. Merz facing criticism from opponents, religious leaders, and former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who warned that his decision could further break Germany’s firewall against extremism.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/world/europe/germany-friedrich-merz-immigration.html