CDU motion passes with AfD support, breaching German ‘firewall’

Germany’s Christian Democrats (CDU) have taken a significant step, potentially breaching the established “firewall” policy against the far-right, by passing a motion on immigration with the support of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). This action marks a notable shift in German politics.

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the main opposition CDU, announced the party’s new strategy last Friday following a knife attack in Aschaffenburg. He stated that his party would pursue non-binding motions “regardless of who voted in favor of them.” The attack involved an Afghan national, who had come to Germany as an asylum seeker and was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.

Merz’s move was widely viewed as a departure from established norms. Germany’s “firewall” has traditionally aimed to prevent any targeted cooperation between mainstream parties and the far-right.

While it was unclear whether the two CDU/CSU motions would pass, the main motion was narrowly approved with 348 votes in favor, 344 against, and ten abstentions.

The combined support from the CDU/CSU, the AfD, the liberal Free Democrats (FDP), and some independent members marked the first instance in the history of the modern German parliament where a motion passed solely with the backing of the AfD. The second motion was rejected.

Merz defended his party’s actions against criticisms, while members of the SPD shouted “shame on you” at Merz and the CDU/CSU following the result. The current minority government, caused by the collapse of Scholz’s coalition, has created opportunities for new majorities.

Merz stated that he did not desire AfD support, but in a speech prior to the vote, he asserted that he preferred to change the current migration policy, which he believes contributed to the attack, rather than maintain the status quo.

Merz’s motion calls for the government to implement permanent border controls and to turn back all asylum seekers at the border, among other measures. The plan would deny entry to asylum seekers without a valid identity card or entry document, tighten immigration procedures, and impose stricter penalties for illegal entry.

Rolf Mützenich, the SPD parliamentary group leader, described the CDU/CSU’s actions as an abandonment of the political center of the parliament. He further stated that the vote, which occurred hours after the parliament commemorated the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, would be a historic event.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz sharply criticized the CDU/CSU after the vote, stating that migration regulations are an integral part of Germany’s legal order. He emphasized that the CDU/CSU motion contradicted both the Federal Constitution and EU law.

Britta Haßelmann, parliamentary leader of the Greens, remarked to Merz, “When you look at the face of the AfD, you realize what has happened today, and you are responsible for it.”

Merz defended his position, saying he was “not seeking a majority in this parliament outside the democratic center.” He added, “If there has been a [different] majority today, I regret that.”

The AfD, however, celebrated the vote as a “historic moment.” Bernd Baumann, the party’s chief spokesman, stated, “Mr. Merz, you helped make this happen.” Baumann argued that this marked the start of a new era of cooperation with the CDU/CSU.

“Today is a historic moment. It means the end of the red-green coalition and the beginning of a new era in Germany. We will lead this change,” Baumann said.

AfD co-chairwoman and chancellor candidate, Alice Weidel, accused mainstream parties of disrespecting German voters by their attitude towards her party. “The so-called firewall is nothing more than an anti-democratic cartel agreement aimed at excluding millions of voters,” Weidel said during the Bundestag debate.