German conservative leader Merz faces fierce criticism over cooperation with far-right AfD

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, sharply criticized his rival Merz, saying the Christian Democrats have broken a longstanding principle in German politics against cooperation with extremist parties.

“This day will certainly be described by some as historic. For the first time in the German parliament, a motion has been passed with a majority that was ensured by the AfD. This is a bad sign. For the parliament. And also for our country,“ he said.

Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) introduced several motions and a draft bill to parliament this week to modify the country's immigration and asylum laws, just four weeks ahead of Feb. 23 elections.

A key non-binding motion—proposing to turn away irregular migrants and asylum seekers at all German borders—passed with support from far-right AfD lawmakers. The parliament voted 348 to 345 in favor of the CDU/CSU's motion, with the backing of 75 AfD lawmakers.

“You see us shaken today. From our point of view, this is a turning point, a profound break for the German Bundestag, our parliament -- and a black day for our democracy,” said Green Party parliamentary group co-chair Katharina Droege, expressing the dismay felt by many lawmakers.

The Christian Democrats had previously maintained a strict policy of non-cooperation with the AfD at all levels of government. The party's leadership had repeatedly said the CDU/CSU would not form any coalition with the AfD following federal elections.

The vote sparked immediate protests, with hundreds gathering outside CDU headquarters in Berlin on Wednesday evening. Demonstrators carried signs reading “Firewall Instead of Arson” to protest what they saw as a dangerous precedent in German democracy.

The AfD party, which campaigns on an anti-immigration platform, faces ongoing criticism for xenophobic, antisemitic and Islamophobic statements by its members. German intelligence authorities have been monitoring several AfD branches and its youth wing since 2021 due to concerns about their anti-democratic leanings and ties to right-wing extremist groups.

CDU/CSU leads pre-election polls

As Germany enters the final four weeks before its Feb. 23 elections, the CDU/CSU bloc led by conservative leader Merz maintains a strong lead in the latest campaign polls.

A YouGov poll released Wednesday showed the Christian Democrats at 29% of voter support, up one percentage point from the previous week. Despite this lead, Merz would need a coalition partner to form a government.

Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD) suffered a significant drop, falling four points to 15% and falling behind the AfD, which rose to 23%.

The Greens declined slightly to 13%, well above the 5% threshold required to enter parliament. Among smaller parties, the left-wing populist BSW polled at 6%, securing parliamentary representation, while The Left barely cleared the threshold at 5%.

The liberal FDP, at 3%, would fail to enter parliament under current polling. The remaining 5% was distributed among other parties that would not gain representation.