German Politics Roiled by CDU-AfD Vote Collaboration on Migration Policy

Friedrich Merz faces backlash as CDU works with AfD to pass controversial migration measures, sparking nationwide protests and political turmoil.

The CDU, led by Friedrich Merz, collaborated with the AfD to pass a Bundestag motion on stricter migration policies, marking an unprecedented political move.
The motion, which includes measures like increased border rejections and stricter deportations, has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum and civil society.
Mass protests erupted, with over 75,000 people demonstrating in cities across Germany against the perceived erosion of the 'firewall' between mainstream parties and the far-right AfD.
Internal divisions within the CDU and FDP emerged, with some members opposing the collaboration and others supporting the measures for electoral strategy.
Key political figures, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel, condemned the CDU's actions, while Merz defended the move as necessary to address migration challenges.