German chancellor denounces AfD's migration stance in heated Bundestag debate

Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany (AfD) of being a destructive force in a heated Bundestag session, saying its migration policy would amount to "ethnic cleansing" of skilled workers. The exchange followed the party's near-44% vote share in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, a result that cut the governing coalition's support in half.

Weidel told MPs that the election demonstrated the failure of Merz's coalition with the centre-left and signalled the end of his leadership. Merz replied that the AfD had not secured an outright majority in the state and warned that its proposed deportation and remigration measures would cripple essential services such as care homes, hospitals and restaurants.

The debate grew noisy, prompting Bundestag President Julia Klöckner to warn that members could be expelled for disorderly conduct. Merz also highlighted that one in six skilled workers in Germany has a migration background, underscoring the government's distinction between contributors to the economy and those without permanent residency.

The AfD's regional success has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump commenting on the party's performance and linking it to Germany's immigration policies. German domestic intelligence has classified the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt as right-wing extremist, and the party has pledged a "deportation and remigration" offensive targeting irregular migrants.

Merz concluded that the AfD's promises would not translate into a governing majority at the national level, reaffirming his stance that the party remains a destabilising influence in German politics.