German Chancellor Accuses Far-Right AfD of Advocating 'Ethnic Cleansing'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently accused the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party of advocating "ethnic cleansing" during a heated parliamentary debate. Merz asserted that the AfD's "remigration" policy, which calls for mass expulsions of migrants and some individuals with German citizenship, is a euphemism for ethnic cleansing based on origin and skin color. The Chancellor emphasized that millions of immigrant workers are vital to the German economy, warning that the AfD's proposed policies would cripple essential services and industries across the country.

The strong condemnation from Chancellor Merz came just days after the AfD achieved a significant electoral victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, securing nearly 44% of the vote, although it fell short of an outright majority. During the contentious session in the Bundestag, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel rebuffed Merz's accusations, criticizing the Chancellor's government and calling for a change in policy. The AfD's success in Saxony-Anhalt highlights a growing appeal for the party, which has been under scrutiny by German intelligence services as a suspected extremist organization.