Friedrich Merz, the front-runner to become Germany’s next chancellor, relied on votes from the far-right AfD to push an anti-migration motion through parliament.

Former chancellor’s intervention exposes deep rift within country’s conservatives over how to handle the far right’s rising influence.

Angela Merkel criticized her successor, Friedrich Merz, for collaborating with the far-right in passing an immigration bill. This decision led to significant backlash, including protest actions and criticism from Holocaust survivor Albrecht Weinberg.

On Wednesday, Merz pushed through a non-binding motion in favour of an immigration crackdown with support from the AfD, breaking with Germany’s tradition of consensus-driven, centrist politics. Many fear it will only further embolden the far right.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly criticized her successor Friedrich Merz for collaborating with the far-right party AfD to pass new migration policies. Despite Merkel's disapproval, Merz aims to present his conservative party as decisive on immigration,

The former German Chancellor has publicly criticised her former party in the wake of far-right AfD's rising popularity.

Altkanzlerin Angela Merkel hat sich in den Wahlkampf eingemischt und ihren christdemokratischen Parteifreund Friedrich Merz kritisiert, der im Bundestag mit den Stimmen der AfD eine strikte Migrationspolitik durchsetzen will.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the leader of her Christian Democrats (CDU), Friedrich Merz, for drawing on support from the far-right to pass a motion in parliament, in a statement on Thursday.

The front-runner to be Germany's next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has faced criticism for accepting support from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. View on euronews

Posters of Friedrich Merz, the centre-Right election frontrunner ... discontent with Mr Merz’s predecessor, Chancellor Angela Merkel, who welcomed a million asylum seekers and migrants into ...

Tucking into beer and pretzels, the frontrunner to become Germany's next chancellor, conservative millionaire Friedrich Merz ... of the way by party rival Angela Merkel. He may never have held ...