German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Strongly Criticizes Far-Right AfD as "Ethnic Cleansing" and "Pro-Russia"

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has strongly criticized the anti-immigration policies of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which achieved a landslide victory in a state parliamentary election, comparing them to "ethnic cleansing."

According to British daily The Guardian and AFP, among other outlets, on the 9th local time, Chancellor Merz targeted the AfD's "remigration" pledge during a speech in the federal parliament, stating, "Remigration is nothing other than a synonym for ethnic cleansing."

Fierce protests erupted among AfD lawmakers in response, but Chancellor Merz repeatedly emphasized, "Remigration is ethnic cleansing based on skin color and origin."

Chancellor Merz went on to argue that millions of migrant workers play a crucial role in German society and that the AfD's forced deportation policies would undermine a pillar of the German economy.

He pointed out, "If the people working in Germany have to leave this country as a result of your calls for 'remigration,' not a single nursing home, hospital, or restaurant in Germany will be able to operate properly."

Chancellor Merz also labeled the AfD a "pro-Russian" party, criticizing them for playing a part in Russia's sabotage attempts.

Even though Russia has been implicated as the mastermind behind the explosive drone incident at Germany's Leipzig-Halle Airport, the AfD has failed to issue any stance and "consistently stands on Russia's side," he stated.

However, Chancellor Merz drew the line regarding calls raised in some political circles for the forced dissolution of the AfD.

Speaking at a joint press conference held earlier that day with European Council President Antonio Costa, he said, "[We] do not believe that [banning the AfD] can solve the problems felt by those who voted for this party."

The AfD argued that their anti-immigration platform is legal and launched a sharp critique of the German government's immigration policies.

Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, claimed in a federal parliamentary speech that day that "German citizens have to live with the problems caused by mass immigration every day," asserting that the government's immigration policies have worsened public safety in Germany.

Weidel emphasized, "The citizens want a political turnaround, not ' politics as usual.'"

The AfD told Reuters that "Chancellor Merz is distorting our party's positions and trying to demonize the party," adding that their policy of deporting immigrants does not violate the law.

Earlier, the AfD emerged as the number-one party by winning about 44 percent of the vote in the eastern state election of Saxony-Anhalt held on the 6th.

At the time, the AfD put forward a "remigration" policy as an election pledge to swiftly proceed with the deportation of foreign criminals and those whose asylum applications have been rejected, while encouraging their voluntary departure.

The pledges also included a plan to educate refugee children in separate classes.

Following this, U.S. President Donald Trump left a congratulatory message on social media platform Truth Social, praising the AfD's landslide victory as a "tremendous victory."

In response, Chancellor Merz canceled a scheduled phone call with President Trump that day, The Guardian reported.

A government spokesperson stated, "Chancellor Merz has consistently opposed foreign interference or commentary in Germany's domestic politics, especially regarding elections."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.