Germany 's conservative opposition party is set to team up with the far-right Alternative for Germany AfD to tackle migration - prompting anger from former Chancellor Angela Merkel. CDU leader Friedrich Merz will seek the AfD's support in parliament today over the flashpoint issue after his first effort sparked widespread condemnation and street protests.
Merkel, whose decision to open the borders to over one million first-time migrants in has been criticised by the right for triggering the migrant crisis, slammed her successor's decision. Chancellor Olaf Scholz , the Greens and other critics also condemned the move for breaking post-war Germany's long-established 'firewall' against any cooperation with the extreme right.
Thousands took to the streets in multiple rallies on Thursday waving signs that read 'Shame on you', 'Friedrich Merz is a security risk for our democracy' and 'We are the firewall'. While Wednesday's resolution was a non-binding call to restrict immigration, the proposal on Friday's agenda would have the force of law, marking another milestone in German politics.
The move comes after a series of deadly attacks have darkened the mood in Germany over the arrival of millions of war refugees and other asylum seekers in recent years, ahead of February 23 elections. Merz is a frontrunner in the polls while the AfD - which rails against immigration, Islam and multiculturalism and is close to right-wing populist forces abroad - has made significant gains and is polling at around 20 percent.
Merz has insisted he is not seeking active co-operation with the AfD and would not enter a coalition with them. He has nonetheless defended the unprecedented tactical use of AfD support in the national legislature, arguing that 'a right decision doesn't become wrong just because the wrong people agree to it'. Aside from the firewall controversy, human rights groups have broadly slammed Merz's immigration proposals, arguing they would contravene EU and international law.
