Fri Jan 31 23:54:46 IST 2025: ## German Parliament Rejects Stricter Immigration Bill Amidst Far-Right Backlash
**Berlin** – Germany narrowly averted the passage of a controversial immigration restriction bill on Friday, preventing a potential alliance between mainstream conservatives and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The bill, proposed by opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the CDU/CSU, was defeated 350 votes to 338, with five abstentions.
The bill’s defeat followed a heated debate and widespread criticism over Merz’s willingness to collaborate with the AfD. The move sparked protests across Germany and drew condemnation from prominent figures, including former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who described the collaboration as “wrong.” Many criticized the move as a breach of the established “firewall” between mainstream parties and the far-right.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned against eroding this firewall, stating that cooperating with the AfD risked undermining the established parties. Merz, however, defended his actions, asserting that his priority was addressing public concerns about safety and immigration, fueled by a recent deadly attack by a rejected asylum seeker. He insisted that his collaboration with the AfD was not an endorsement of their ideology, but rather a tactical move to address pressing public concerns.
The AfD, while disappointed by the bill’s failure, viewed the result as a sign of Merz’s inability to effectively implement stricter immigration policies. The outcome highlights the deep divisions within German politics as the country prepares for snap elections on February 23rd. Current polls indicate that the CDU is leading, followed by the AfD, with the governing Social Democrats and Greens trailing. The events of this week have exposed significant rifts between the CDU/CSU, the Social Democrats, and the Greens, parties that may need to cooperate to form a governing coalition after the election.
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