On Friday, the German Parliament rejected an immigration bill proposed by opposition leader Friedrich Merz, a major blow to his campaign just weeks ahead of the upcoming elections. The bill, which aimed to tighten immigration rules, was narrowly voted down, with 349 lawmakers opposing it and 338 in favor.
Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), had introduced the “Influx Limitation Law,” which called for permanent border controls with all neighboring countries and the turning back of individuals attempting to seek asylum at the borders. The bill had the backing of far-right parties in Germany.
This rejection is a significant setback for Merz, who is challenging Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the upcoming snap elections set for February 23. Polls show Merz with 30% support, making him a leading contender to become the next Chancellor. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) trails with 20% support.
Social Democratic Party (SPD) General Secretary Lars Klingbeil characterized the bill’s defeat as a major blow to Merz’s chances. “Mr. Merz has failed twice today,” he said. “He failed to align with the AfD and failed to secure a majority in the Bundestag.”
AfD leader Alice Weidel also criticized Merz, claiming the parliamentary vote marked the “implosion of a conservative people’s party,” adding that it signified the end of Merz’s hopes of becoming Chancellor.
The election was triggered after Chancellor Scholz lost a vote of confidence in December, leading to the collapse of his coalition government. Meanwhile, U.S. tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly expressed support for the AfD, calling it Germany’s “best hope.”
The AfD, which recently became the first far-right party to win a state election since the Nazi era, is gaining traction in national polls. However, its anti-immigrant stance has led to widespread rejection from mainstream parties, all of which have ruled out any collaboration with the AfD.
