Germany’s Merz accuses AfD of racist mass deportation plan, and cancels Trump call

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has accused the far-right Alternative für Deutschland of promoting “ethnic cleansing” through its remigration policy following the party’s major election victory in Saxony-Anhalt.

“The term ‘remigration’ is nothing but a synonym for ethnic cleansing based on origin and skin colour,” Merz told parliament Wednesday.

The AfD won nearly 44 percent of the vote in Sunday’s state election, the strongest showing for a far-right party in a German state since the Nazi era, but fell three seats short of an absolute majority.

Merz argued that mass deportations would severely damage Germany’s economy, saying millions of immigrant workers were essential to hospitals, care homes, restaurants and other industries.

US President Donald Trump congratulated the AfD on Truth Social, calling its result a “really big night” and blaming Germany’s immigration policies.

Merz subsequently cancelled a planned phone call with Trump. His spokesperson declined to give a specific reason but said the chancellor had consistently opposed “interfering in or commenting on the domestic political situation, particularly regarding elections”.

Merz acknowledged Germany still faced migration problems and said more people without permanent residency needed to be deported.

However, he stressed his government distinguished between those without legal residency and immigrants who work and contribute to Germany’s economy.