Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Alternative for Germany leader Alice Weidel attacked Chancellor Friedrich Merz in parliament on Wednesday after her party defeated his in a regional election, prompting a sharp response from the German leader. Merz said the far-right AfD would not win a majority in Germany and criticised its positions on Ukraine and migration.
The clash came as Merz faces pressure after AfD secured its biggest win yet in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, while his centre-right Christian Democratic Union lost about half its support there. The result highlighted AfD’s ability to tap public discontent beyond its core demand for tighter immigration controls, at a time when Germany’s unpopular national government is struggling with a persistently weak economy. Two more states, Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, are due to vote on September 20.
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Opening the annual budget debate in parliament, Weidel told Merz that “in Saxony-Anhalt, people didn’t just punish you, they pulverised your party”. She said, “You haven’t understood the message that voters in Saxony-Anhalt sent you on Sunday. But that isn’t relevant because your time has run out anyway. Citizens want a change of policy, and they will get it.” She also said future elections would give AfD “a clear mandate to govern”.
Merz replied that AfD’s result in the state election was “remarkable”, but noted that the party had campaigned on governing only with an absolute majority and had fallen short of that. He said voters had sent “us, me as well, a clear message”, but added: “You don’t have the absolute majority, and you won’t achieve it in Germany. You won’t get majorities anywhere in Germany with these policies. You are, and remain, Ms Weidel, a destructive force.”
The two also clashed over Ukraine. AfD opposes aid to Ukraine and wants sanctions on Russia lifted. Weidel told Merz: “While the US is making another attempt to end the murderous Ukraine war, you are stepping up the war propaganda and the confrontation with Russia, and burning the last bridges to distract from your own disastrous political record.” Merz said Germany would continue to support Ukraine and told AfD lawmakers that “your reactions only show that you obviously intend to continue the downright grotesque inversion of perpetrator and victim”. He added: “You clearly continue to stand by Russia when it comes to defending our freedom,” and noted that Weidel had not mentioned the attempted drone attack on Germany’s Leipzig/Halle airport, which the government last week blamed on Russia.
Merz also criticised AfD’s use of the politically charged term “remigration” as the party pressed for more deportations. He said: “The word remigration is nothing but a synonym for ethnic cleansing according to origin and skin colour,” and argued that carrying it out would leave hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and many businesses unable to function. He said, “That we must deport more is a consensus in the coalition,” but added that the government distinguishes between people who work and are welcome in Germany and those who do not have a right to stay.
AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt was welcomed by far-right parties across Europe and drew attention from US President Donald Trump. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump said: “Wow! The Populist Party in Germany just had a really big night.” He added: “They finally got tired of the absolutely horrible Immigration rules and regulations which have hurt Germany so badly,” without naming the party, and said: “THEY ARE ON THE RISE, and not going to take it anymore!” The exchanges in parliament reflected the pressure on Merz after the regional vote and his attempt to push back against AfD on elections, Ukraine and migration.
With PTI Inputs
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
