German Conservatives Face Backlash Over Potential Far-Right Support for Migration Measures

Friedrich Merz's CDU/CSU plans to introduce stricter migration proposals, risking alignment with the far-right AfD ahead of February elections.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU/CSU and frontrunner for chancellor, announced plans to introduce tough migration legislation in parliament next week.
The measures include closing borders to irregular migration and allowing federal police to request arrest warrants for undocumented individuals.
Merz stated his party would pursue these proposals regardless of which parties support them, potentially breaking Germany's long-standing political firewall against the far-right AfD.
Critics, including leaders from the SPD and Greens, warn that accepting AfD votes on these measures could erode democratic norms and signal indirect cooperation with the far-right.
The AfD, polling at 20% and in second place nationally, has celebrated the move as a victory for its anti-immigration agenda.