Germany’s opposition leader and frontrunner for the next chancellorship, Friedrich Merz, is facing widespread criticism after accepting support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to push through a controversial migration proposal.

The move has drawn backlash from across the political spectrum, including a rare public rebuke from former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who condemned Merz for breaking a long-standing commitment to not cooperate with the AfD.

Breaking a Political Taboo

On Wednesday, Merz’s centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) pushed a non-binding motion calling for stricter border and asylum policies through parliament. The measure passed by a narrow margin, with AfD votes playing a decisive role. This marks the first time an AfD-backed motion has been approved in the German Bundestag, with the far-right party hailing it as a “historic day for Germany.”

Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years, called Merz’s decision “wrong”, reinforcing her long-held position that mainstream parties should not collaborate with the AfD.

Merz defended his actions in a heated debate before the vote, arguing that tougher migration policies were necessary to stem rising violence in Germany.

“I am not looking for any other majorities in this Bundestag than those in the democratic centre,” he said. “If there was such a majority here today, then I regret it.”

Migration and Security Concerns Take Center Stage

Merz’s hardline stance on migration follows a series of violent incidents involving asylum seekers.

The most recent attack, in Aschaffenburg, saw a rejected Afghan asylum-seeker arrested for a knife attack that killed a man and a two-year-old boy. Similar knife attacks in Mannheim and Solingen last year, involving suspects from Afghanistan and Syria, have fueled growing public concern over immigration.

Another Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, allegedly carried out by a Saudi doctor, has further intensified the debate as Germany heads toward elections on February 23.

Merz has repeatedly argued that Germany’s asylum and immigration policies have been flawed for nearly a decade, dating back to Merkel’s decision to welcome a large influx of migrants in 2015.

With the CDU leading in opinion polls, Merz’s party is pushing for a radical overhaul of Germany’s immigration system, calling for stricter border controls, faster deportations, and tougher asylum policies.

Government Backlash and European Concerns

The outgoing coalition government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), has sharply criticized Merz’s motion.

Scholz dismissed the proposal, arguing that it violates German and EU asylum laws. He also warned that Merz’s actions risk damaging Germany’s reputation as a reliable European partner.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser echoed these concerns, warning that the motion jeopardized joint European action on migration in favor of “dangerous national solo efforts.”

“The debates in Germany are causing irritation among our European neighbors,” Faeser added.

While the European Commission declined to comment on the political debate, EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner acknowledged that stronger measures were needed to improve deportation policies across the bloc.

Public Protests Erupt in Berlin

Following the Bundestag vote, hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside CDU headquarters in Berlin, protesting the party’s decision to align with the AfD on migration. Among the groups present was Amnesty International, which has warned against strict migration policies undermining human rights protections.

With less than a month until the election, Merz’s controversial decision could shape the political landscape—either solidifying his lead among conservative voters or triggering a backlash that could weaken his chances of becoming Germany’s next chancellor.