Generaldebatte im Bundestag: Merz attackiert AfD scharf – Weidel sieht Koalition am Ende

Three days after the historic victory of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) harshly criticized the party during the General Budget Debate in the Bundestag. He accused the AfD of "disrespect for our democratic institutions" and a "permanent devaluation of the representatives of our state." Merz stated, "They want to destabilize our country."

Earlier, AfD leader Alice Weidel announced that the coalition with the Social Democrats was, in her view, at an end, stating, "The voters in Saxony-Anhalt have made it clear to you in the language of democratic sovereignty: Black-Red is over." Klöckner, President of the Bundestag, reprimanded the AfD's members twice for their behavior, threatening to have them removed from the plenary session.

Merz was constantly interrupted by heckling from AfD members during his speech. The AfD leader was criticized for her stance on Russia and energy policy, with Merz accusing her of wanting to "ethnic cleanse" through "remigration." Merz also accused the AfD of having failed in Saxony-Anhalt, as they did not achieve an absolute majority, thus failing to secure a majority to govern alone.

He accused the AfD of "vote fraud" for seeking to come to power with the help of other parties, despite previously ruling it out. For the upcoming elections, Merz predicted that the AfD would not receive majorities anywhere in Germany with their current policies. Regarding his own consequences from the election, Merz reiterated his commitment to his reform course, promising a new narrative focused on "welfare for all generations."