German chancellor accuses far-right AfD party of seeking ‘ethnic cleansing’
Friedrich Merz says Alternative für Deutschland is ‘dividing our society’ after party won nearly 44% of vote in Saxony-Anhalt state election
TL;DR
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz labels the AfD's "remigration" policy as "ethnic cleansing."
- Merz warns that mass deportations would cripple Germany's economy, impacting skilled trades, care homes, hospitals, and restaurants.
- The AfD achieved a near 44% victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, its strongest showing for a far-right party since the Nazi era.
- Merz acknowledges the need for deportations but insists on a distinction between contributing immigrants and those without residency rights.
- The AfD's chief candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, Ulrich Siegmund, is seeking coalition partners after failing to secure an absolute majority.
- Merz criticizes the AfD's stance on aid to Ukraine and its alleged alignment with Russia.
- AfD co-leader Alice Weidel celebrated the election result as a repudiation of Merz's leadership and vowed policy change.
- Current polls indicate the AfD leading nationally, with Merz's coalition struggling to maintain support.