German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has accused the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) of advocating for "ethnic cleansing" through its "remigration" policy. The clash occurred during a tense parliamentary debate following the AfD's historic victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, where it won nearly 44% of the vote. While Merz warned that mass deportations would collapse Germany's hospitals and economy, the AfD rejected his characterization as a desperate attempt to maintain a political "firewall" against them.
Saxony-Anhalt election outcome
- ▪Mainstream German political parties refuse to enter a coalition with the Alternative for Germany, maintaining a policy known as the firewall
- ▪The Alternative for Germany party won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, 2026, securing nearly 44% of the vote but falling short of an absolute majority
AfD remigration policy debate
- ▪The Alternative for Germany's election program in Saxony-Anhalt advocated for segregating the children of refugees into separate classes
- ▪The Alternative for Germany rejected Friedrich Merz's accusations, stating that its remigration policy refers strictly to the legal deportation of foreigners required to leave Germany
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany of seeking ethnic cleansing based on origin and skin color through its remigration campaign
Economic impact of deportations
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the Alternative for Germany's mass deportation plans would cause severe labor shortages, leaving hospitals, care homes, and restaurants unable to function
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany of risking national prosperity by opposing Germany's membership in the European Union, the euro, and the Schengen area
AfD Russia support accusations
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the Alternative for Germany for remaining silent on a failed drone bomb attack at Leipzig airport, which Berlin blamed on Russia
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany of supporting Russia and opposing military assistance to Ukraine
Merz low approval ratings
- ▪Alternative for Germany co-leader Alice Weidel described the Saxony-Anhalt election result as a referendum on Friedrich Merz's leadership and declared that his time is up
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's approval ratings have fallen to record lows amid public disappointment over slow economic growth and the cost of living
AfD party ban debate
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argued that the priority in dealing with the Alternative for Germany must be political confrontation and winning back its voters to the political center
- ▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed skepticism that legal proceedings to ban the Alternative for Germany party would succeed
Debatable claims
- ▪The AfD's remigration policy is a form of ethnic cleansing
- ▪Germany should legally ban the Alternative for Germany party
- ▪German mainstream parties should maintain the political firewall against the AfD
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