German Green Party Leader Robert Habeck has called out CDU leader Friedrich Merz for potentially collaborating with the far-right AfD party.
Habeck, the German Vice-Chancellor, emphasized that he takes Merz’s previous statements seriously, in which he suggested not working with the AfD. Habeck expressed his concern that Merz might be on the verge of breaking his word.
The controversy arises from Merz’s announcement to submit migration-related bills to the German parliament in the coming week, regardless of who might support them.
Andrea Lindholz, a CSU MP and Innenpolitikerin, disagrees, stating that the AfD’s potential support for Merz’s package is a normal part of the parliamentary process. She believes that the AfD has already supported or rejected bills from the SPD and the Greens in the past and that this is a regular part of the democratic process.
The AfD has, in fact, signaled its support for Merz’s plans, with Bernd Baumann, the First Parliamentary Manager of the AfD faction, stating that if Merz brings the package to the Bundestag and requests an immediate vote, he could potentially achieve success, possibly with the support of the AfD, FDP and some independent MPs.
Christian Dürr, the leader of the FDP faction, has expressed openness to supporting Merz’s plans, but with reservations. He emphasized that the FDP will present its own proposals and scrutinize Merz’s plans carefully, only supporting them if they align with the right direction.
The controversy has sparked concerns about the potential consequences of the CDU’s collaboration with the AfD, with some critics warning of a potential erosion of the rule of law in Germany.