Merz, AfD leader face off in Bundestag over Germany’s Ukraine policy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel clashed in parliament on Wednesday over the war in Ukraine, with both accusing each other of worsening the conflict with Russia.

Weidel accused the government of fuelling the war and “burning bridges” with Moscow. Merz responded by saying the AfD supported Russia, describing the disagreement as a “deep rift” between the two sides, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Weidel said Berlin was intensifying military rhetoric and escalating tensions with Russia while the United States was seeking to end the confrontation. She accused the government of using the conflict to distract from failures in domestic policy and called its actions catastrophic.

Merz said Russia had not been threatened by NATO, the European Union or Germany. He said Ukraine was fighting for freedom, including for Germany’s freedom, and accused the AfD of seeking to reverse the roles of Russia and Ukraine.

“You support Russia – that is precisely the divide between you and us,” Merz said.

The exchange came after the AfD won 44% of the vote in elections in Saxony-Anhalt, defeating Merz’s conservatives. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called Germans who celebrated the AfD’s victory “idiots”.

The dispute underscored divisions in Germany over the war in Ukraine, with the governing coalition and the right-wing opposition remaining sharply divided.

The AfD has also criticised German arms deliveries to Ukraine and introduced a bill in the Bundestag seeking to ban military aid. The party’s support has continued to rise amid economic difficulties and concerns over migration, increasing pressure on Merz’s government.

By Aghakazim Guliyev