Trump attributes state election win of AfD to Gemany's 'horrible' immigration policies
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany party of advocating anti-migration policies that were tantamount to "ethnic cleansing" during an address to the German parliament.
US President Donald Trump has attributed the victory of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the recent state election to what he perceives as "horrible" immigration policies. The AfD gained prominence due to public dissatisfaction with the influx of migrants and asylum seekers, particularly from the Middle East and Afghanistan. Trump has consistently criticized European countries, including Germany, for failing to control their borders amid a significant influx of migrants over the past decade.
In a message on Truth Social, Trump expressed his admiration for the AfD's performance, stating that the party had had a "really big night" due to its "absolutely horrible" immigration rules and regulations. The AfD's candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, who aspires to become the new premier of Saxony-Anhalt, has vowed to deport illegal immigrants "from the first minute," echoing Trump's stance on immigration.
The AfD is classified as a right-wing extremist party by Germany's domestic intelligence service. Their election program in Saxony-Anhalt proposed "remigration" policies to expedite the deportation of rejected asylum seekers and foreign criminals, as well as to encourage voluntary departure. The party also advocated for teaching refugee children in segregated classes.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz denounced the AfD's immigration policies, calling them tantamount to "ethnic cleansing" in a speech to the German parliament. The AfD dismissed Chancellor Merz's characterization as an attempt to demonize their party and insisted that their policies were legal.
The AfD's victory marks one of the most significant setbacks for Chancellor Merz's conservative party since they regained power nationally in Germany over a year ago. Merz's personal approval ratings are at an all-time low, which has put his government's reform agenda in jeopardy. Chancellor Merz's spokesperson, Stefan Kornelius, declined to comment on Trump's social media post but emphasized that interventions or foreign comments on domestic German politics, especially elections, are off-limits for the chancellor.
Kornelius also pointed out that Germany remains committed to upholding values such as freedom, democracy, and respect.
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