Overview

• Friedrich Merz's recent migration policies, including a controversial parliamentary vote supported by the AfD, have drawn widespread criticism and sparked protests across Germany involving hundreds of thousands of demonstrators.
• Merz emphasized the need for Germany to take a leading role in the European Union, calling for closer cooperation with France and Poland and advocating for collective European action in response to U.S. policies under President Donald Trump.
• Despite internal party tensions, the CDU/CSU has shown remarkable unity, with Merz receiving strong backing from his party colleagues ahead of the Bundestag elections.
• The CDU's migration stance has shifted significantly under Merz's leadership, reflecting a more restrictive approach compared to Angela Merkel's policies during the 2015 refugee crisis.
• Recent polls indicate a slight increase in support for the CDU, with Merz gaining personal popularity, though concerns remain about the potential long-term impact of his alignment with far-right votes on the party's image.