Germany: Protest against immigration restrictions plan

Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservatives, who will likely become Germany's next Chancellor after the national elections expected to be held on February 23rd, presented a draft proposal with the support of the AfD, breaking a taboo not to co-operate with the far-right party.

According to police, around 160,000 protesters gathered near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, where the Low Chamber of Bundestag, the German Parliament, is located.

Protesters held banners with calls against co-operation with the AfD and criticism of the leader Merz.

Friedrich Merz, coalition candidate CDU/ CSU for the Chancellor post, tried Friday to put his immigration proposal to parliament for discussion, but failed to secure the majority after some of his party's MPs refused to support it.

Lack of support dealt a blow to Mr. Merz's authority, which was warned by his party's colleagues that he risked losing support if he voted alongside the far right.

The bill envisions restrictions on the family union process for some refugees and the return of more migrants.

A recent survey shows that two-thirds of respondents support stronger immigration regulations.

Mr. Merz has argued that the draft proposal is a necessary measure of murder in public spaces by individuals of immigrant descent. But Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and Green Party representatives say the submitted plan would not contain the attacks and that it conflicts with European law.

Similar Protests Against CDU/ CSU and AfD were held on Saturday in many other German cities, including Hamburg, Stuttgart and Leipzig. / VOA