Germany's parliament erupted into chaos on Wednesday as a "firewall" against collaborating with the far-right crumbled. A non-binding motion advocating stricter border and asylum regulations passed with backing from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Amid a tumultuous session, politicians from various parties exchanged criticism and accusations.
Conservative CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the initiator of the plans, justified his actions as necessary. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz denounced the move as an unforgivable mistake. Merz is now set to introduce concrete legislation on Friday—potentially with AfD support—aimed at restricting immigration levels and family reunion rights.
Nevertheless, the proposed measures are unlikely to take effect before February's snap election and might conflict with EU regulations if enacted. Merz defended the AfD's endorsement of the motion, stating that a policy should not be discredited merely because of the supporters backing it.
In response to Merz’s actions, Chancellor Scholz criticized him for breaching the longstanding consensus in German politics against aligning with the far right. The debate surrounding immigration in Germany intensified following a series of deadly attacks involving asylum-seekers, most recently in Aschaffenburg. The issue has become central in the election campaign that ensued after Scholz's government collapsed.
The motion proposed by CDU on Wednesday, attracting support from AfD and the liberal FDP, advocated for a "ban" on undocumented entry to Germany, yet it lacks the authority to compel the current minority government to act. The significance of the firewall against the far-right in German political culture cannot be overstated, with the memory of the Holocaust shaping the country's moral compass.
Before the vote, the Bundestag held its annual ceremony to honor Nazi victims, featuring a speech from 88-year-old Holocaust survivor Roman Schwarzmann. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier emphasized the importance of never forgetting the crimes of the Nazis. This stance contradicts the AfD's perspective on Germany's historical memory, revealing a divide in the country's political landscape.
Merz's willingness to accept AfD support in parliament has caused controversy, departing from his party's official stance against aligning with the far-right. Despite ruling out a coalition with the AfD, Merz's pivot towards a more radical stance on migration poses a risk of alienating centrist voters. The recent polling data indicates a shift in support towards the AfD, highlighting the potential ramifications of Merz's strategy.