AFD & CDU, Immigration, Borders & Dual Citizenship: This Week's Heated Political Battle in Germany
This past week, Germany witnessed a turning point in its political landscape. For the first time in modern German history, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) helped push a motion through the Bundestag. This collaboration between the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the AfD broke a long-standing political taboo—challenging the so-called Brandmauer (firewall) that mainstream parties have maintained to prevent far-right influence.
The motion in question, a five-point plan proposed by CDU leader Friedrich Merz, sought to tighten border security and enforce stricter migration controls. It called for permanent policing of Germany’s borders and the immediate denial of entry to all irregular migrants, regardless of asylum claims. The CDU/CSU, historically hesitant to rely on AfD votes, found themselves in an unprecedented position—passing the resolution with far-right support.
This move was met with outrage and protests across Germany, with even former Chancellor Angela Merkel stepping in to condemn Merz's actions, calling them “wrong”. Political analysts, such as Kai Arzheimer, have warned that this event marks a serious crack in Germany’s firewall against extremism, adding, “Merz's flirtation with the AfD is massively alienating both his party and its supporters.”
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Political Fallout and Electoral Consequences
Merz’s gamble may have been a strategic play ahead of the upcoming February 23rd elections, but it has placed his credibility at stake. Chancellor Olaf Scholz voiced strong concerns, questioning whether Merz could still be trusted, while others speculated whether this move was paving the way for future cooperation between the CDU and the AfD.
While Wednesday’s vote succeeded, Friday’s attempt to push even tougher migration laws failed, signaling that mainstream resistance against far-right cooperation remains strong. The defeated bill sought to increase police powers to detain undocumented migrants and restrict family reunifications for asylum seekers. In the final tally, 338 MPs voted in favor, while 350 opposed it—a narrow but significant defeat for the conservatives.
AfD leader Alice Weidel was quick to call it a “bitter defeat” for Merz, highlighting his inability to push through an immigration crackdown even with far-right backing. Meanwhile, Scholz and other leaders celebrated the result, with SPD’s Rolf Mützenich dramatically urging, “We can still close the gate of hell together. You have to put up the firewall again!”
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What This Means for Dual Citizenship in Germany
Amidst the heated immigration debates, another critical issue emerged: dual citizenship reform. The CDU/CSU had been pushing for the reversal of recent citizenship laws that allow foreigners to become naturalized Germans in just three years and retain dual citizenship.
Their proposed resolution included provisions to:
Strip German nationality from dual citizens convicted of serious crimes, regardless of whether they served prison time.
Abolish the recently passed dual citizenship reform, which allows naturalization after only three years.
However, unlike their border security motion, this second resolution failed to pass. This outcome is crucial—it signals that even if the CDU wins the next elections, they will struggle to repeal dual citizenship laws, as they would need broader parliamentary support. Political analysts have noted that the CDU would not find any coalition partners willing to reverse this reform, making such a policy shift highly unlikely.
As journalist Aaron Burnett put it, “This failed motion tells us that the CDU is highly unlikely to be able to find any governing coalition partner willing to repeal citizenship reform - including dual citizenship.”
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Public Reaction: Protests and Unrest
The reaction across Germany has been divisive. Supporters of the CDU argue that Germany needs stricter border policies in light of recent violent crimes attributed to asylum seekers. In December, a Saudi man drove an SUV into a Christmas market, killing five people. More recently, an Afghan man fatally stabbed a two-year-old child in Aschaffenburg. These events have fueled anti-immigration sentiment and calls for tougher security laws.
However, opponents warn that collaborating with the far-right normalizes extremist rhetoric and undermines democratic institutions. Tens of thousands took to the streets this week in anti-AfD protests, with signs reading “Shame on you, Merz” and “We are the firewall”.
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What’s Next?
With elections just weeks away, all eyes are on how this political drama will shape voter sentiment. The CDU remains ahead in the polls, but Merz’s move could alienate potential coalition partners, forcing difficult compromises if he hopes to govern.
Meanwhile, for immigrants and dual nationals, this week’s events provided a glimmer of relief—for now, their rights remain intact. But with an increasingly divided Germany, the battle over immigration and citizenship is far from over.
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