German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has adopted a significantly tougher stance against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). This notable shift follows the AfD’s recent landslide victory in Saxony-Anhalt. It also coincides with the cancellation of a planned phone call with US President Donald Trump.
During a general debate in the Bundestag on Wednesday, Merz delivered harsh criticism. He labeled the AfD “a destructive force.” Furthermore, he sharply condemned its policies.
Merz directly challenged the AfD’s call for mass deportations. “The word ‘remigration’ is nothing other than a synonym for ethnic cleansing,” he declared. He further specified it as “ethnic cleansing by skin colour and origin,” drawing protests from AfD deputies.
Earlier in the debate, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel had spoken. She highlighted “daily consequences of mass migration,” citing “run down and threatening cityscapes.” By contrast, Merz argued AfD’s immigration policy would severely damage the labor market. “Not a single care home could operate, not a single hospital, not a single restaurant,” he warned.
The Chancellor also accused the AfD of aiding Russian efforts to destabilize Germany. This accusation followed a foiled drone attack at Leipzig airport last month. Berlin blamed the incident on Russia.
Beyond the Bundestag, Merz cancelled a phone call with Donald Trump. This decision came just hours after Trump celebrated the AfD’s election success on his social media platform. Trump had praised the party’s win, linking it to dissatisfaction with immigration rules.
This appears a significant change for Merz. Critics on the left had previously accused him of normalizing far-right immigration policies. He had also strived to maintain a friendly relationship with Trump.
For instance, Merz faced backlash for passing a motion to tighten immigration rules with AfD support. His government has also maintained strict border controls. They have scrapped the fast-track path to German citizenship for exceptionally integrated immigrants.
However, recent polls and the Saxony-Anhalt election suggest Merz’s strategy has not curbed the AfD’s rise. His efforts to appeal to AfD voters with tough immigration policies proved ineffective. Consequently, his Merz AfD stance now reflects a direct confrontation.
A spokesman for Merz declined to give a reason for the cancelled Trump call. However, he clarified it was not due to scheduling. The spokesman noted Merz frequently objects to foreign interference in domestic politics. A new date for the call remains unset.
Trump is widely unpopular across Europe. Therefore, Merz may seek to improve his own standing with German voters. Distancing himself from the AfD’s prominent US supporter could be a strategic move. The AfD is known to have close connections with Trump and his MAGA movement.
