From Dw · · 2m
Germany news: Merz rails against extremism, AfD sympathizers
Chancellor Merz condemns AfD's rise in state legislatures as historic break.
In brief
Chancellor Merz condemns AfD's rise in state legislatures as historic break. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the election of an AfD politician as Saxony-Anhalt's state parliamentary speaker a 'historic break' from democracy. Originally reported by Dw.
Merz calls AfD election historic break
Chancellor Merz said extremism was forcing its way into German state legislatures 'with a vengeance'.
“extremism was forcing its way into german state legislatures with a vengeance”
AfD wins first state speaker post
Tobias Rausch, an AfD politician, was elected speaker of Saxony-Anhalt state parliament for the first time since 1945.
“tobias rausch an afd politician was elected speaker of saxony-anhalt state parliament for the first time since 1945”
Merz criticizes CDU support
Merz said he was 'deeply concerned and somewhat appalled' that CDU lawmakers voted for Rausch.
“merz said he was deeply concerned and somewhat appalled that cdu lawmakers voted for rausch”
Rausch election controversial
Rausch received 48 votes but the AfD and BSW only have 44 between them in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament.
“rausch received 48 votes but the afd and bsw only have 44 between them in saxony-anhalt state parliament”
SPD questions CDU role
SPD deputy chancellor Lars Klingbeil said CDU must explain how right-wing extremists were elected speaker.
“spd deputy chancellor lars klingbeil said cdu must explain how right wing extremists were elected speaker”
Merz on Israel solidarity
Merz reaffirmed Germany's support for Israel on the 3rd anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks.
“merz reaffirmed germany's support for israel on the 3rd anniversary of the october 7 terror attacks”
Hanning in pretrial detention
Former BND spy chief August Hanning was ordered to remain in pretrial detention.
“former bnd spy chief august hanning was ordered to remain in pretrial detention”
Hanning faces treason charges
Hanning is accused of passing secret government documents to clients during private consulting work.
“hanning is accused of passing secret government documents to clients during private consulting work”
Saxony-Anhalt lawmakers call for end to Ukraine aid
Saxony-Anhalt AfD and BSW lawmakers called for the federal government to drop sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
“saxony-anhalt afd and bsw lawmakers called for the federal government to drop sanctions on russia over its invasion of ukraine”
Merz survey results
67% of Germans surveyed say Merz's chancellorship has failed, with 48% completely agreeing.
“67 percent of germans surveyed say merz's chancellorship has failed with 48 percent completely agreeing”
Merz on extremism in CDU
Merz said anyone who casts a vote for the AfD is playing the extremists' game and undermining credibility.
“merz said anyone who casts a vote for the afd is playing the extremists game and undermining credibility”
SPD protests AfD election
SPD staged a march through Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to protest the election of Rausch as speaker.
“spd staged a march through berlin's brandenburg gate to protest the election of rausch as speaker”
Hanning's BND role
Hanning ran the BND, Germany's foreign intelligence service, from 1998 until 2005.
“hanning ran the bnd germany's foreign intelligence service from 1998 until 2005”
Merz on October 7
Merz said Germany stands firmly by Israel's side and will combat rising antisemitism.
“merz said germany stands firmly by israel's side and will combat rising antisemitism”
Rausch election votes
Rausch received 48 votes but only 44 would have been needed if only AfD and BSW voted.
“rausch received 48 votes but only 44 would have been needed if only afd and bsw voted”
Merz on CDU extremism
Merz said this is incompatible with the values of his party, the CDU.
“merz said this is incompatible with the values of his party the cd”
The short version
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the election of an AfD politician as Saxony-Anhalt's state parliamentary speaker a 'historic break' from democracy.
