Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly criticized her successor, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the country’s center-right political faction, regarding his recent legislative proposals aimed at tightening migration rules. These proposals only succeeded with assistance from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. This marks a notable shift, as Merkel usually refrains from commenting on political developments after leaving office.
The center-left governing coalition has expressed concerns over Merz’s reliability in distancing his party from the far-right. He has asserted his unwillingness to collaborate with the AfD and contends that he did not undermine a critical consensus to exclude the party from governance. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz described Merz’s actions as “an inexcusable mistake.” Merz’s initiatives come in response to a tragic knife attack reportedly perpetrated by an undocumented asylum seeker, prompting him to push for a nonbinding motion in parliament that suggests increased restrictions on migrant entries.
Current polls indicate that Merz’s Union party leads with approximately 30% support ahead of the upcoming election on February 23, while the AfD trails with around 20%. The Social Democrats, led by Scholz, alongside their coalition partner Greens, are lagging behind in the polls.
Merkel recalled that Merz previously stated no proposals should gain traction with AfD backing before the elections. She expressed her agreement with that stance, stating, “I think it was wrong no longer to feel committed to this proposal and… to enable, with open eyes for the first time, a majority with votes from AfD in a vote in the German parliament.” Merkel also stressed the importance of collaboration among all democratic parties, highlighting that this cooperation should not be a mere tactic but a genuine effort to uphold EU laws and prevent violence linked to immigration.
Merz ascended to lead the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after Merkel’s departure as chancellor in 2021. He has adopted a more hardline approach to migration, criticizing Merkel’s past policies that allowed a significant influx of migrants. Since stepping down, Merkel has maintained a low profile, generally avoiding commentary on everyday politics, but her recent remarks could pose challenges for Merz.
By taking a tougher stance on migration, Merz aims to position his party as more decisive than the anti-immigration AfD, naturally attempting to undermine the latter’s appeal. Yet, it remains unclear whether this strategy will yield the desired results. AfD members celebrated the recent parliamentary outcome, while Merz expressed disappointment over not achieving a majority from the broader democratic spectrum, insisting, “a correct decision doesn’t become wrong because the wrong people approve it.”
On Friday, the Union is expected to vote on legislation that would end family reunifications for migrants with limited protection status, which, again, could see support from AfD. This measure would also require approval from the upper house of parliament, and its fate remains uncertain.
The political climate has shifted following these developments, potentially complicating coalition-building efforts post-election. Political analyst Wolfgang Schroeder described Merz’s strategy as a breach of the informal “firewall” intended to separate mainstream parties from the far-right. While it may help him in the short term, its long-term implications could be detrimental. He acknowledged that the events unfolding in parliament represent significant political moments, yet he urged caution in labeling them as historically transformative.
