BERLIN — Angela Merkel isn’t done.
The former German chancellor doubled down on her criticism of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, arguing that his party crossed a red line by allowing a migration policy motion to pass in the Bundestag with the backing of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merkel was leader of the CDU from 2000 to 2018.
Speaking to the German news weekly Zeit, Merkel stressed that she “could not remain silent” as the CDU allowed an anti-immigration motion to pass with AfD support in Germany’s parliament, even if it ultimately fell at the final hurdle before becoming law.
“Even under difficult conditions, majorities should not be formed with the AfD,” she said. Merkel did not inform Merz in advance about her public remarks, which sparked tensions within the CDU, Germany’s main center-right opposition party.
Merz has insisted that the CDU did not seek AfD backing for its motion, which called for stricter immigration controls. However, Merkel dismissed the argument, pointing to Merz’s own words from November when he had vowed that the CDU would never rely on far-right votes.
“I fully supported that position,” Merkel said, adding, “I find it wrong that this commitment no longer seems to apply.” Merkel’s remarks highlight an ongoing struggle within the CDU over how to position itself against the far right — a debate that is intensifying ahead of Germany’s federal election on Feb. 23.
The AfD, considered by local intelligence authorities to be a party with right-wing extremist elements, has surged in polls in recent years and now regularly tops 20 percent nationally, jumping into second place ahead of the upcoming election. It has gained particular traction in eastern Germany.
Asked whether her open migration policy bears responsibility for the AfD’s rise, Merkel acknowledged that the migration dispute between the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), during her tenure had contributed to the far-right party’s growth. The Bavarians pushed for tougher migration policies after hundreds of thousands of asylum applications were made in 2015.
“It wasn’t right that we argued so much,” she admitted. However, she rejected the idea that her leadership was primarily to blame. “When I left office, the AfD was at 11 percent,” Merkel said. “Their polling above 20 percent is no longer my responsibility.”
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