Mass protests in Germany as Merz faces backlash over AfD collaboration

File Source: AP News
Berlin erupted in protest as an estimated 160,000 demonstrators gathered outside the Reichstag, voicing their outrage over what they see as a dangerous shift in German politics.

The unrest follows Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz’s controversial engagement with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a parliamentary vote on immigration.

Merz, a leading candidate in the upcoming February 25 election, introduced a non-binding motion last week advocating for stricter border controls. The measure narrowly passed, bolstered by AfD support—a move critics say breaks Germany’s long-standing political firewall against far-right influence.

Protests were not confined to Berlin. Demonstrators in Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Leipzig took to the streets, condemning what they called a breach of democratic norms. In Cologne, 350 boats formed a symbolic blockade on the Rhine, with banners reading “No Racism” and “For Democracy and Diversity.” Meanwhile, hundreds of activists temporarily blocked CDU offices in multiple cities.

Opposition leaders and activists have accused Merz of legitimizing the AfD’s influence in parliament. “This is a direct attack on our democracy,” said a protester in Munich. “We will not allow the far right to dictate policy.”

Merz, however, denies any collaboration with the AfD. “My position remains unchanged,” he stated. “I have not and will not work with the AfD.” He argues that his strict immigration stance is necessary to address public concerns and counter the AfD’s growing appeal.

Polls show his center-right bloc leading with around 30% of the vote, with the AfD trailing at approximately 20%. His strategy appears to be a gamble—hoping to draw in conservative voters while weakening the AfD’s influence. However, the mass mobilization against him suggests that the backlash could reshape the political landscape in the weeks leading up to the election.