Protests Disrupt Friedrich Merz's Visit to Cologne University Hospital

Police intervene as demonstrators block exits during CDU leader's visit to a cancer research center on World Cancer Day.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Cologne University Hospital during Friedrich Merz's visit, temporarily blocking the facility's exits.
The demonstration was sparked by Merz's recent reliance on AfD votes to advance his migration policy, which has drawn widespread criticism.
Police cleared a path for Merz's convoy after initial attempts to disperse the crowd failed, with tensions briefly escalating at the scene.
Merz praised the hospital's cancer research and called for reforms to Germany's genetic engineering laws and anonymized patient data usage.
Additional protests followed in Bonn, where up to 1,500 demonstrators gathered during Merz's election campaign event.