German Parliament Rejects Immigration Bill Backed by Far-Right

German Parliament Rejects Immigration Bill Backed by Far-Right

The German parliament has rejected a bill to tighten immigration controls, brought by the frontrunner to be the next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, with the backing of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).

The bill was defeated by a narrow margin of 350 to 338 votes, with five abstentions. This followed a similar but non-binding motion passed on Wednesday with the votes of the AfD, sparking widespread protests and accusations of breaching Germany's long-standing "firewall" between the far right and mainstream politics.

The debate surrounding the bill was highly charged, with opponents including members of Merz's own CDU/CSU alliance and the pro-business Free Democratic party (FDP). Critics argued that the bill was unnecessary, given existing laws, and that its passage would legitimize the AfD.

Merz defended the bill, arguing that it was necessary for German domestic security and denying any intention of working with the AfD. However, his claims were met with skepticism, given the AfD's support for the bill and the historical parallels drawn to the rise of the Nazi party.

The rejection of the bill is a significant setback for Merz and his party, and it remains to be seen how it will impact the upcoming elections. It also raises concerns about the growing influence of the far-right in German politics and the potential erosion of the country's democratic values.