He is from this Wednesday something weaker in Germany. And the campaign for the February 23 elections has entered a new dimension. The favorite in the polls, has accepted the votes of the ultra -right party, in favor of a controversial motion. The motion, not binding, has been approved with 348 in favor and 345 against. Another motion was rejected. , has accused Merz to make an “unforgivable mistake.”
The campaign has been lit with a bronco debate in the Bundestag that touched essential issues for this country. One is the right to asylum and immigration, in the center of the campaign since last week. The other issue is the beginning, in force so far and part of the German democratic identity, which prevents all of themselves – not even approaching – to the extreme right.
Merz proposed to reject the entry into Germany of asylum plaintiffs. Before the Bundestag, the candidate defended the right of his formation to propose laws that they consider fair, even if they obtain the support of AFD, the extreme right party that the electoral polls place in second position.
The bet of the conservative leader is risky. A poker play that can enhance its favorite status by responding forcefully to the sincere concern of many Germans. The proposal, which definitely breaks with, seeks to attract voters from the extreme right.
At the same time, it has opened a flank for the weakened left to regain air and question its attachment to the fundamental consensus of German Democrats. The initiative can feed its image of impulsive and very conservative leader, a reputation that has been dragging in Germany for decades. Finally, run the risk that the beneficiary ends up being the extreme right ,.
“It’s a great day for democracy,” he celebrated in the Bundestag halls, after the vote ,. In his speech, he told Merz: “His five -point plan has copied it!” Weidel described the sanitary cord that prohibits any agreement with his party as “an antidemocratic cartel that denies the will of the voters and excludes millions of voters.”
“It is a serious mistake. It is an unforgivable mistake, ”said Social Democrat Scholz to qualify Merz’s proposal, and his willingness to accept AFD’s votes. The criticism of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens is double. Merz accuses of breaking a “taboo” by accepting for the first time the votes of AFD and thus eroding the firewall or sanitary cord against the extreme right. They warn that what, after the elections, could happen as in Austria, where the extreme right and the democristians negotiate a coalition. And consider that their proposals are unconstitutional and contrary to European law, so they will end up damaging the international reputation of Germany.
“The right to asylum,” said the chancellor, “is the immediate response to the horrors of national socialist tyranny. Then they were the German and European Jews who were rejected to foreign borders. This, and this is the lesson of the story, cannot afford to happen again. ”
Clements BILIŞ (EFE)
“You,” he continued looking at Merz, “he said he is indifferent who votes in favor of his proposals contrary to the law. But it is not indifferent to work with the right -wing extremists. Not in Germany! “
The tone was tense in the Bundestag, as if what was at stake was more than the votes of two motions and a proposal of law that democristians want to submit to vote on Friday. Some talked about a German “political culture” debate. But it was also a key moment of the campaign, perhaps the decisive. Scholz, third in the polls and without a formula to overcome, has seen that the opposition had offered him in tray his chance. And take advantage of it. In the Bundestag, he put Merz on the defensive.
The most controversial of the proposals of the CDU/CSU is the one that plans to reject entry to Germany or expel “without exception” to all foreigners who enter in this country without permission. .
“What should still happen in Germany, before you also be the opinion that we face a threat to public security and order?” Merz replied after enumerating the attacks and attacks committed in recent months by immigrants and plaintiffs asylum. “How many more people should be killed?”
In November, Merz himself rejected the possibility of “casual majorities” with the extreme right. He referred exactly what happened on Wednesday. That, without asking for the CDU/CSU, a proposal of this party obtains the votes of AFD. The motion adopted obtained the majority, with the support of the liberals as well. But that satisfaction was not full – or that the scene was something shameful for the game of Adenauer, Kohl and Merkel – it was seen when, when the result was announced, only the deputies of the extreme right applauded. No Democristian celebrated it.
Merz, who has been reaffirming his refusal to any agreement with AFD weeks, denies that he is breaking the sanitary cord. He argues that, if he receives the votes of the extreme right, it is in spite of. The veto to negotiate with this party is still in force.
The text of the most controversial motion, which was adopted, clearly says that “AFD is an adversary” and justifies the immigration plan to prevent this party from appropriating the issue. Merz believes that they will defeat them. “Democracy is in danger when radicals come to power,” he said. “That’s why I will do everything to prevent it.”
