In a dramatic turn of events, German lawmakers on Friday rejected a controversial bill that aimed to tighten immigration laws, proposed by the conservative CDU and backed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The vote, held in the Bundestag, saw 338 in favor, 350 against, and five abstentions, signaling a narrow but clear defeat for the bill.
This defeat comes after a heated debate sparked by the CDU’s Wednesday motion, which called for a tougher stance on immigration and garnered AfD support—a move that shattered a long-standing political barrier against far-right collaboration. The decision was met with applause from the ruling Social Democrats and Greens, who staunchly opposed the bill.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who had previously vowed to pass the bill with far-right backing, faced significant backlash for this approach, which critics argue could lead to dangerous political alliances. In the wake of Friday’s vote, AfD leader Alice Weidel decried the outcome as a “bitter defeat,” highlighting Merz’s failure to push through his immigration agenda.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concerns over Merz’s tactics, warning that his collaboration with the far-right could erode trust in the CDU and lead to more extreme political partnerships in the future. Despite the setback, Merz remains determined to pursue his immigration reforms, believing that German voters demand stronger border controls and security measures.
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