BERLIN — In an unprecedented move, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly criticized her political successor, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the center-right CDU party, over his recent collaboration with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) regarding migration policies. This criticism arises in the wake of Merz's proposed parliamentary measures aimed at significantly tightening immigration rules, which he pushed through with AfD support, threatening the longstanding political consensus to isolate far-right influences.

Merz’s actions come as Germany gears up for elections scheduled on February 23, where he and his CDU party currently lead in polls with nearly 30% backing, while the AfD follows with approximately 20%. The heated debate on migration has intensified after a tragic knife attack by a rejected asylum seeker in Aschaffenburg, prompting Merz to emphasize the need for stricter border controls and immigration policies.

Merkel, who previously held the chancellorship for 16 years, reiterated her stance that mainstream parties should never engage with the AfD. She stated, “I think it was wrong no longer to feel committed to this proposal and, on Jan. 29, to enable with open eyes for the first time a majority with votes from AfD in a vote in the German Bundestag,” referring to the parliamentary session that allowed the controversial motion to pass. She underscored that all democratic parties must unite to prevent violence linked to immigration.

During the parliamentary session, Merz positioned himself against accusations of breaking previous commitments and insisted that a “correct decision doesn’t become wrong because the wrong people approve it.” This statement has received backlash from various political factions, including current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who labeled the cooperation with the AfD as “an inexcusable mistake.”

Political analysts have noted that Merz's gamble to make the CDU appear decisive in immigration policy may indeed attract right-wing voters disillusioned with the AfD while alienating centrist conservatives. Following the recent vote, which was marked by heckling and tension, the political atmosphere has significantly soured, complicating future coalition negotiations.

In light of Merkel's intervention and political analysts’ cautions about the implications of crossing the so-called “firewall” effectively shielding mainstream parties from the far-right, Merz's upcoming legislation proposals on more restrictive migration rules could prove pivotal for his party's standing in the election. Although polls indicate a lead, the impact of these recent developments on voter sentiment remains uncertain.

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