Thousands of protesters rallied across Germany this weekend to voice concern over Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz’s collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The demonstrations drew large crowds in several cities, including Berlin, Cologne, and Frankfurt.
Merz’s decision to push forward with two anti-immigration bills, which received support from the AfD, was criticized as a breach of post-WWII German taboo against working with extremist parties. Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Merz’s actions “a blow to democracy,” while Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described them as “shaming” for the conservative alliance.
The protests were fueled by concerns over the rise of the AfD party and anger at Merz’s stance on immigration. Demonstrators also targeted AfD supporters and members, with clashes reported in several cities.
Despite the opposition, Markus Söder, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), defended Merz’s decision, saying it showed he was “serious about turning around asylum policy.” However, Chancellor Merkel publicly chastised Merz’s actions, calling for him to listen to her advice. The protests highlight growing tensions within Germany’s ruling parties over immigration and national identity.
As the country prepares for its federal election in weeks’ time, these protests underscore the divisions between pro-immigration and anti-immigration factions within German politics.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-protesters-decry-cdu-csu-over-afd-collaboration/a-71483400