Thousands of people flooded Berlin’s streets, condemning what they consider a violation of post-war political standards.
The demonstrations followed a recent event where some political parties voted alongside the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on a non-binding immigration resolution.
Political Tensions Ignite Public Outcry
Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, twice relied on AfD support last week. One of those occasions involved a bill aimed at restricting immigration.
This cooperation angered many citizens. Demonstration organizers declared that the protests were a response to what they see as a dangerous partnership with the far right, violating Germany’s long-standing political consensus.
Protests erupted across the country, coinciding with the upcoming national elections. In Berlin alone, police reported around 160,000 participants on Sunday. The rally started near the Bundestag and continued toward the CDU headquarters.
Anna Schwarz, a 34-year-old protester, said it was her first political rally. “We can no longer look away,” she told AFP. Schwarz added that their goal was to make noise and push democratic parties to protect Germany’s democracy.
The CDU currently leads in the polls ahead of the snap elections. The AfD, polling in second place, remains controversial. Merz has ruled out forming a coalition with them.
Legislative Battles and Growing Criticism
Last week, Germany’s parliament passed a non-binding motion addressing immigration changes. Days later, it narrowly rejected a bill proposing reduced immigration and limited family reunification rights. The CDU authored the bill, but the AfD’s backing triggered widespread backlash.
Former chancellor Angela Merkel joined critics, accusing Merz of betraying the CDU’s previous pledge to avoid collaborating with the far right.
Merz defended his stance, insisting the measures were necessary. He emphasized that he hadn’t directly sought AfD support.
“A correct decision doesn’t turn wrong because the wrong party supports it,” Merz stated.
