Merz attacks AfD in stormy debate after far-right election win
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz has clashed with AfD leader Alice Weidel in a stormy political debate following the far-right party’s election win. The confrontation focused on migration policy and the future of Germany’s workforce.
Merz accused Weidel’s approach to migration of amounting to “ethnic cleansing” for skilled workers. His criticism suggested that the policy would risk driving away people with valuable skills rather than addressing Germany’s needs.
The exchange placed migration at the centre of a tense debate between the chancellor and the Alternative for Germany, known as the AfD. Weidel defended the party’s position, while Merz attacked its implications for skilled workers.
The debate came after the AfD secured an election win, increasing the political significance of the party’s views and intensifying its confrontation with the chancellor. The clash reflects the sharp divisions in Germany over migration policy and the country’s approach to skilled workers.
At this time, the available information establishes that Merz and Weidel had a heated debate after the AfD’s election success, with Merz describing the party leader’s migration policy as “ethnic cleansing” for skilled workers. Further details of the debate and its political consequences were not provided.