German Migration Policy Shift Sparks International Condemnation as AfD Backs Union’s "Taboo-Breaking" Vote

A controversial move by Germany’s center-right Union bloc (CDU/CSU) to pass stricter migration policies with support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has drawn sharp rebukes from international media, with critics labeling the alliance a “colossal mistake” and a dangerous erosion of democratic norms. The vote, which marks the first time the AfD has helped secure a Bundestag majority, has ignited fierce debate over the ethical and political consequences of collaborating with a party widely accused of extremism.

"A Departure from Merkel’s Legacy": Global Outcry

The Union’s five-point plan, which includes measures to expedite deportations and restrict asylum access, passed narrowly on Wednesday with votes from the AfD, Free Democrats (FDP), and independents. International outlets swiftly condemned the move as a rupture with post-war Germany’s historical aversion to far-right collaboration.

Italy’s La Repubblica called the decision a “taboo break,” arguing it dismantles former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s refusal to engage with the AfD. “This day will go down in history with sadness,” the paper wrote, accusing Union leader Friedrich Merz of erasing Merkel’s legacy of isolating the AfD over its anti-constitutional rhetoric.

Austria’s Die Presse warned Merz’s tactics risked political paralysis, noting his motions—tabled months before federal elections—could complicate future coalition talks. “Merz rules out governing with the AfD, yet he’s banking on a strategy that may require them,” the paper stated, adding that Europe’s political center risks collapse if the “firewall” against far-right parties weakens.

The Swiss Tages-Anzeiger branded the vote a “colossal mistake,” arguing that mainstream parties like the CDU must “offer better solutions than the AfD’s inhumane populism.” Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ de Volkskrant called the decision a “breach” of EU asylum norms, stressing that cooperation with “anti-rule-of-law parties” was once unthinkable.

Domestic Criticism: "A Fatal Gamble"

German media echoed concerns over the AfD’s creeping normalization. The Weser-Kurier dismissed Merz’s motion as largely symbolic, noting it lacks legal binding force. “If Merz wanted real change, he’d negotiate with the SPD and Greens—not break his promise to avoid AfD alliances,” the paper argued.

The Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung warned that the vote inches the AfD closer to legitimacy, particularly after its radical factions gained ground in eastern Germany. “The CDU has handed the AfD a veneer of respectability,” it wrote, lamenting the erosion of a “democratic firewall.”

Regional outlets like the Straubinger Tagblatt questioned the long-term stakes: “What if courts overturn this policy? What if post-election coalitions reject it? Merz may have gambled fatally for fleeting gains.”

Debate Descends into "Unbridled Rhetoric"

Switzerland’s Neue Zürcher Zeitung criticized the Bundestag debate as less about policy than “electioneering,” marked by “everyone against everyone” hostility. The consensus among centrist parties, it argued, has shattered, with migration now a battleground for “unrestrained populism.”

Broader Implications

The vote underscores Germany’s shifting political landscape as the AfD, polling at over 20% nationally, pressures mainstream parties to adopt harder lines on migration. While Merz defends the move as pragmatic, critics fear it legitimizes a party linked to extremist ideologies, risking democratic integrity for short-term wins.