
Listen To Story Above
In a watershed moment for German politics, the long-standing barrier preventing mainstream parties from cooperating with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) crumbled on Wednesday when Angela Merkel’s former party collaborated with the populist-sovereigntist group on migration restriction legislation.
The political dynamics in Germany are experiencing a significant shift just three weeks before national elections. Since its inception in 2013, the AfD has faced isolation from other major political parties through a strict policy of non-cooperation known as the ‘cordon sanitaire’ or ‘firewall.’
This barrier was dismantled during Wednesday’s Bundestag session. The catalyst was a recent tragic incident in Aschaffenburg, where a migrant from Afghanistan allegedly committed a fatal stabbing that claimed two lives, including a toddler. Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz responded by proposing comprehensive measures targeting illegal migration and deportation enhancement. While Merz sought support from establishment parties for his non-binding motion, he notably expressed willingness to accept AfD support for passage.
Angela Merkel slams Germany's new harsh immigration law, and turns against the party she once led.
She says it was "wrong" for the CDU's Merz to vote with the AfD.
"For the first time, a majority with the votes of the AfD was achieved in a vote in the German Bundestag.” pic.twitter.com/W0LjWZUOS7
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) January 30, 2025
The Social Democrats and Greens opposed the motion, but it secured approval by a narrow margin of 348 to 344 votes. Support came from 187 CDU/CSU representatives, 75 AfD members, 80 Free Democrats, and six independent legislators, marking an unprecedented collaboration with the AfD since its establishment, according to NTV.
Merz, who succeeded Angela Merkel, faced intense criticism from left-wing politicians and mainstream media for breaking ranks with the “democratic centre” and associating with alleged “far-right extremists.” He defended his position, stating: “We owe it to the people in the country and not least to the victims of the acts of violence to really limit illegal migration, take those obliged to leave the country into custody and finally deport them.”
The AfD, currently polling as Germany’s second-largest party despite frequent characterization as “far-right,” celebrated this development as historically significant. AfD representative Bernd Baumann proclaimed: “A new era begins here and now. We are leading this, the new forces are leading this, these are the forces from the AfD. You can follow, Mr. Merz, if you still have the strength to do so.”
🇩🇪Former German Chancellor Angela #Merkel blamed her conservative #CDU party for passing a migration motion with the help of the far-right AfD
👉 @HECParis's @armin_steinbach on electoral tensions in Germany ahead of the 23rd February vote⤵️ pic.twitter.com/AduYNRs1gM
— The Debate – France 24 (@F24Debate) January 30, 2025
Although Merz consistently rejects potential coalition government formation with the AfD after the February 23rd elections, preferring leftist alliances, Wednesday’s vote demonstrated the possibility of a right-wing majority.
The vote has strained relationships with left-wing parties. Chancellor Olaf Scholz remarked: “For the first time, a motion was passed in the German Bundestag with a majority that was also supported by the AfD. That is a bad sign. For Parliament. And also for our country.”
SPD Interior Minister Nancy Faeser accused the Union of abandoning democratic principles, while Left Party leader Jan van Aken declared: “We will remember this day for decades to come, when the conservatives and the fascists made a common cause for the first time in many decades.”
The situation faces a crucial test on Friday when Merz introduces a binding resolution for migration restrictions. Despite his continued appeals to establishment parties, the SPD’s opposition to strict border controls may necessitate another collaboration with the AfD.