“Protesters gathered in cities across Germany over the weekend to express their opposition to a controversial migration proposal put forth by the center-right leader and front-runner in the upcoming Feb. 25 election. The proposals for stringent new migration regulations, which received support from a far-right party, led to tens of thousands taking to the streets in Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Leipzig.
Voicing their discontent, the protesters accused Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democrats of violating Germany’s post-Nazi consensus among democratic parties. This unwritten agreement stipulates that no rule or resolution in parliament should be passed with the backing of far-right, nationalist parties like the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Merz introduced a nonbinding motion in parliament calling for increased border controls to deter more migrants from entering Germany, a measure that narrowly passed with the support of AfD.
Merz, in response to a recent deadly knife attack by a rejected asylum-seeker, aimed to demonstrate his party’s commitment to curbing irregular migration. However, a bill proposing stricter migration rules was narrowly rejected by the German parliament on Friday, highlighting the contentious issue of cooperation with far-right parties and sparking a debate on the front-runner’s stance toward the AfD.
Amid accusations from protesters and left-wing politicians that he is jeopardizing mainstream parties’ resistance to the AfD, Merz maintains that he has not and will not collaborate with the far-right party. Demonstrators blockaded Christian Democrats’ offices in various cities, and a large rally in Berlin on Sunday saw up to 20,000 individuals coming together to voice their dissent.
In Cologne, a unique protest took place as people took to the Rhine River in 350 boats, displaying banners with messages such as “No racism” and “For democracy and diversity.” Polls indicate that the center-right Union, spearheading the migration proposal, holds around 30% support, with the AfD following at approximately 20%, and the Social Democrats and Greens trailing behind.
Merz aims to bolster Union’s support by advocating for a tougher stance on migration, hoping to diminish the appeal of the anti-immigrant AfD while portraying governing parties as out of touch with the populace’s concerns. The emergence of the AfD in the national parliament in 2017 marked a turning point, attributed to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision in 2015 to welcome a large number of migrants into the country.
A year ago, widespread protests erupted across Germany against the far-right’s ascent and rumored plans for mass deportations, underscoring the deep divisions and debates surrounding migration policies in the country.”
