German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has accused the far-right Alternative für Deutschland of seeking 'ethnic cleansing' through its 'remigration' agenda, following the party's strong result in the Saxony-Anhalt state election.
Key facts
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the AfD of seeking 'ethnic cleansing'.
- The AfD won nearly 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election.
- Merz said the party is 'dividing our society'.
- He warned the AfD's mass deportation plans would damage a pillar of the German economy.
- The comments came during a parliamentary debate, his first public confrontation with the AfD since the result.
Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has accused the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) of seeking ‘ethnic cleansing’ with its ‘remigration’ drive, according to the Guardian. The accusation followed the nativist party’s victory in a weekend state election in Saxony-Anhalt.
The AfD won nearly 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, an outcome the Guardian described as seismic and a shock. The result marked a significant moment for the far-right party in the eastern German state.
Merz made his remarks at what the Guardian described as a raucous parliamentary debate. It was his first public confrontation with the AfD since Sunday’s election outcome.
During the debate, Merz said the AfD was ‘dividing our society’. He framed the party’s ‘remigration’ agenda as a racist campaign of mass deportations.
The chancellor also warned of economic consequences, saying the far-right party would ‘take an axe to one of the pillars of the German economy’ through its proposed deportations, according to the Guardian.
The confrontation underscores the sharpening political tensions in Germany following the AfD’s strong regional performance, as mainstream parties respond to the party’s growing electoral support.
Why it matters
The AfD's strong result in Saxony-Anhalt signals rising support for the far right in Germany and intensifies debate over immigration and national identity. The chancellor's stark accusation reflects how mainstream leaders are responding to that momentum, with implications for German politics and the economy.
Frequently asked questions
What did Friedrich Merz accuse the AfD of?
Merz accused the AfD of seeking 'ethnic cleansing' through its 'remigration' drive, describing it as a racist campaign of mass deportations, according to the Guardian.
How well did the AfD do in the Saxony-Anhalt election?
The AfD won nearly 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, a result the Guardian described as a seismic and shock outcome.
Why did Merz mention the economy?
Merz warned that the AfD's mass deportation plans would 'take an axe to one of the pillars of the German economy', according to the Guardian.