Overview
- Over 160,000 demonstrators in Berlin protested against the CDU's perceived alignment with the AfD during a recent Bundestag vote on migration policy.
- CDU leader Friedrich Merz reiterated that his party will not cooperate with the AfD, despite backlash over accepting their votes for a migration bill.
- The CDU's proposed 15-point 'Sofortprogramm' includes stricter border controls and economic reforms, aiming to address migration, security, and economic competitiveness.
- 145 civil society organizations criticized Merz's migration proposals as divisive and urged the CDU to uphold democratic and human rights principles.
- Key CDU leaders, including Markus Söder and Boris Rhein, defended Merz's stance, emphasizing the party's commitment to a migration policy shift and distancing from the AfD.