Angela Merkel is back—this time, wagging her finger at her own party. The former German chancellor took a swipe at Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, throwing a fit over a migration policy motion that passed in the Bundestag with support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
In an interview with Zeit, Merkel insisted she “couldn’t stay silent”—as if anyone expected her to. The CDU, Germany’s main center-right opposition, had promised never to actively work with the AfD. But now, Merkel is suddenly drawing a “red line” simply because the AfD happened to vote in favor of a motion that the CDU itself introduced.
“Even in tough situations, majorities shouldn’t be formed with the AfD,” she scolded. Conveniently, she didn’t give Merz a heads-up before launching her latest lecture, further fueling tensions within the party.
Merkel’s Double Standard
Merz, not amused, dismissed the criticism. The CDU never asked for AfD votes—its motion for stricter immigration controls simply aligned with the far right’s stance. That’s politics. But Merkel, clinging to the past, wasn’t having it.
“I fully supported that position,” she huffed, “so it’s wrong that this commitment no longer applies.” Yet, just a few years ago, Merkel herself made political deals with all sorts of controversial figures. Apparently, when she plays the game, it’s leadership. When her successor does? It’s a scandal.
AfD’s Rise: Merkel Can’t Escape the Blame
Merkel’s outburst comes as the AfD soars past 20% in the polls, solidifying its position as Germany’s second-biggest party. And here’s the irony—Merkel’s own migration policies helped get them there.
When asked if she bears responsibility for the AfD’s surge, she reluctantly admitted that the CDU’s internal chaos over asylum policy—especially its clash with the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) in 2015—helped the far right gain ground. But taking full responsibility? Not a chance.
“We argued too much, that was a mistake,” she conceded. Then, with a straight face, she added: “But when I left office, the AfD was only at 11%. Now they’re over 20%. That’s not on me.”
Oh, really?
Merkel spent years pushing open-border policies, ignoring public concerns, and dismissing critics as extremists. Now, with the CDU trying to course-correct, she’s playing purity police—while the AfD capitalizes on the mess she left behind.
As the CDU grapples with its future, Merkel remains stuck in the past, lecturing from the sidelines while pretending she had nothing to do with the very crisis unfolding before her eyes.
