German CDU Breaks Decades-Old Barrier, Collaborates with Far-Right AfD on Migration Policies

Friedrich Merz's CDU faces backlash for working with the AfD to pass anti-migration measures, shattering Germany's post-war political consensus.

The CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, partnered with the far-right AfD in the Bundestag to pass symbolic anti-migration legislation ahead of the February 23 elections.
This move ends a 75-year-old 'cordon sanitaire' that avoided cooperation with far-right parties in Germany, sparking criticism from political and civil leaders.
The legislation includes measures like stricter border controls, reduced family reunification for migrants, and increased detention for those in irregular situations.
The decision followed public outrage over a tragic stabbing incident involving an Afghan asylum seeker, which reignited debates on migration and security.
Prominent figures, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel and church leaders, condemned the CDU's actions as a threat to German democracy.