In Berlin on Sunday, thousands protested against proposals to restrict immigration supported by opposition conservatives and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Friedrich Merz, the conservatives' leader, collaborated with the AfD on a draft bill, sparking criticism for breaking a taboo on aligning with the far-right. The protesters at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, near the Bundestag, held banners with messages like We are the firewall, no cooperation with the AfD" and "Merz, go home, shame on you!.
Merz, the CDU/CSU's candidate for chancellor, attempted to advance the immigration bill in the lower house on Friday but faced opposition from some within his own party, failing to secure a majority. The rejection of his proposal undermined Merz's credibility, as he had disregarded warnings from party colleagues about associating with the far-right.
Traditionally, mainstream German parties have united to prevent the AfD, monitored by Germany's security services, from gaining legislative influence, referred to as a barrier against the far-right. The proposed law aimed to limit family reunifications for certain refugees and increase border rejections, aligning with the preferences of two-thirds of the public, as per a recent survey.
Despite Merz's argument that the bill was vital following high-profile killings by individuals with an immigrant background, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and Greens opposed the measures, citing ineffectiveness against such attacks and violation of European laws.
Further protests occurred in Hamburg, Stuttgart, and Leipzig on Saturday against the CDU/CSU and the AfD.