CDU turmoil: Merkel faces backlash over migration policy remarks

The former German Chancellor Angela Merkel is facing criticism from her own party, the CDU, after publicly commenting on the migration policy of chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz. Merkel expressed her dissatisfaction with the fact that the Christian Democratic draft resolution to tighten migration regulations was passed in the Bundestag with the support of the right-wing populist AfD.

In a statement published on the website of Merkel's office, the former chancellor reminded that Merz himself proposed in November of the previous year that parties in the Bundestag should avoid collaborating with the AfD. This party is known for representing far-right, pro-Russian, and anti-European Union views.

According to the Bild portal, most of the party considers her comment inappropriate and harmful.

Former defence minister and constitutional law expert Prof. Rupert Scholz assessed that Merkel "bears responsibility for the current problems of the CDU." One of the most recognised constitutional law experts told "Bild" that "the crisis that Friedrich Merz is trying to solve began a decade ago when Merkel was chancellor."

- She should refrain from commenting when her party is trying to fix the consequences of her decisions - he said.

Former CDU leader in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Eckhardt Rehberg, also criticised Merkel, stating that "the former chancellor should simply keep quiet."

Angela Merkel was also criticised by Ole von Beust, former mayor of Hamburg and a close associate of the former chancellor. - This is not the right way to comment on the actions of successors in the party. Angela Merkel apparently wants to prove that she was and is right - he assessed.

Former Prime Minister of Schleswig-Holstein, Peter Harry Carstensen, suggested that many people, including Merkel, should "rather hold their tongues" during the election campaign. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister of Saxony, Georg Milbradt, noted that Merkel's words do not help Merz or the CDU itself.

On Friday, a vote is planned in the Bundestag on a Christian Democratic bill aimed at restricting the ability of family members of immigrants with protected status, without permanent residency rights, to come to Germany. The bill also proposes expanding the powers of the federal police regarding immigrants. The AfD has already announced that it will support this bill.