Germany's Merz accuses far-right AfD of calling for 'ethnic cleansing'

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1. 5d ago

   Germany's Merz Faces AfD Criminal Complaint Over 'Ethnic Cleansing' Claim

   Germany's far-right AfD party has filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz following a heated parliamentary exchange on Wednesday, September 9. The legal action comes in response to Merz accusing the party of calling for ethnic cleansing. The confrontation follows a historic electoral win for the AfD in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, which has led to declining voter support for Merz and his Christian Democratic Union party in subsequent polls. Following the election results, Merz postponed a planned telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

   Why it matters

   The escalating political tensions reflect growing concern over the mainstreaming of far-right policies in Germany. The AfD's breakthrough victory in Saxony-Anhalt has made regional governance increasingly complicated, with the party attempting to use its first state government as a policy laboratory. Meanwhile, the Christian Democratic Union continues to lose ground in national and regional polls.

   What is confirmed

   • Germany's far-right AfD party filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz over his ethnic cleansing remark.
   • Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the AfD of calling for ethnic cleansing during a parliamentary exchange on Wednesday, September 9.
   • The AfD secured a victory in the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
   • Following the election, Chancellor Friedrich Merz postponed a planned call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party continues to lose voter support ahead of two more regional elections based on recent polling data.

   What to watch next

   • Upcoming regional elections in Germany
   • Legal developments regarding the AfD's criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. The Economist — What should Germany do about its rising right?
   2. Reuters — Germany's Merz accuses far-right AfD of calling for 'ethnic cleansing'
   3. The Nation — The German Far Right’s Shocking Victory in Saxony-Anhalt Is a Warning for Germany
   4. Bloomberg.com — Germany’s AfD Win Is Great News for Putin
   5. The New York Times — With Messaging That Mirrors Putin’s, Germany’s Far-Right Party Gains Ground
   6. South China Morning Post — Far-right AfD party won big in Saxony-Anhalt. Will it affect Germany’s approach to China?
   7. Financial Times — Hard left holds key to Germany’s first far-right state premiership
   8. Yahoo — Merz Accuses AfD Of 'Ethnic Cleansing' Policy And Cancels Trump Call
   9. wsj.com — The AfD Is Trying to Turn Its First State Government Into a Far-Right Policy Lab
   10. Al Jazeera — Europe’s far right: Putin’s best friend?
   11. dw.com — AfD debrief: after the election is before the election
   12. Mother Jones — The Far Right Can’t Stand Being Called “Far Right”
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