Former Chancellor and ex-leader of the CDU Angela Merkel criticized her successor as party chairman, Friedrich Merz, for passing his initiative to combat migration with the support of the far-right.
According to "European Truth," Merkel's statement is reported by Spiegel.
In particular, the former head of the German government noted that she agrees with Merz’s position expressed in November, stating that a parliamentary majority should only be sought with centrist parties.
She emphasized that this position "was an expression of significant national political responsibility, which I fully support."
"I believe it would be wrong to no longer feel bound by this proposal and thereby allow a majority with votes from the 'AfD' for the first time in the German Bundestag on January 29, 2025," Merkel stressed.
She warned that "all democratic parties must work together" honestly, moderately, and based on existing European legislation, "to do everything in their power to prevent such horrific attacks as the recent assaults in Magdeburg just before Christmas and a few days ago in Aschaffenburg."
Merz's initiative, which is not legally binding, was passed by a narrow majority of 348 votes to 345 with the support of the far-right "Alternative for Germany."
Subsequently, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who initiated the vote, stated that he regrets that his migration initiative was adopted with far-right support, but noted that such a situation would not have arisen if the "Greens" and Social Democrats had cast their votes.
All major German parties had previously stated that they would not cooperate with the "Alternative for Germany," and many Germans are concerned about the rising popularity of this party in recent years.
It should be noted that a recent poll showed a decline in the ratings of the CDU after its leader indicated a willingness to cooperate with the far-right.