German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the far-right AfD of pursuing a policy that amounts to 'ethnic cleansing' in the skilled trades during a heated parliamentary debate following the party's sweeping victory in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD won nearly 44% of the vote in the eastern state, marking its first significant electoral success since World War Two. Merz, addressing the Bundestag, warned that the party's 'remigration' policy would affect millions and called it a 'destructive force' that harms German interests.

The AfD's rise has been linked to growing public frustration with migration policies, with Merz accusing the party of backing Russia and undermining Germany's economic stability. He argued that the party's approach would disrupt essential services, stating that no single care home, hospital, or restaurant could function under its proposed policies. Merz also highlighted that one in six skilled workers in Germany has a migration background, emphasizing the importance of retaining those who contribute to the country's prosperity.

AfD leader Alice Weidel responded by accusing Merz's coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats of failing to address mass migration, which she claimed has led to daily knife violence and attacks on public transport. However, Merz dismissed these claims as exaggerated, warning that the AfD's policies would have severe consequences for Germany's social fabric. The debate turned chaotic, with AfD MPs repeatedly heckling Merz, prompting Bundestag President Julia Klöckner to threaten to expel disruptive members from the chamber.

Despite its victory, the AfD has not yet secured an outright majority in Saxony-Anhalt, falling three seats short. Merz acknowledged the 'seismic' impact of the result, noting that no far-right party has ever won power in a German state since the end of World War Two. The AfD has also been labeled 'right-wing extremist' by German domestic intelligence, and the party has promised a 'deportation and remigration' offensive targeting irregular migrants.

The AfD has opened the door to potential alliances, including with the left-wing populist BSW, as long as it supports Ulrich Siegmund as state premier. Siegmund's deputy in Saxony-Anhalt has suggested that Merz's CDU could work with the AfD if it abandons the so-called 'firewall' policy, which bars mainstream parties from collaborating with the far right. However, no official response from the AfD has been provided to Merz's accusations, leaving the party's stance on migration and its potential role in German politics unclear.

What remains unknown is whether the AfD will be able to form a government in Saxony-Anhalt and how its policies will be implemented. The party's plans for 'remigration' and its potential alliances with other groups could have significant implications for Germany's political landscape. As the situation develops, the debate over migration and national identity in Germany is likely to continue to dominate public discourse.