**The protest arises in response to the CDU's controversial attempts to align with far-right factions, sparking widespread anger and calls for the preservation of democratic values in Germany.**
**Massive Protests Erupt in Berlin Against Embrace of Far-Right Politics**
**Massive Protests Erupt in Berlin Against Embrace of Far-Right Politics**
**Tens of thousands rally to protest political collaboration with Alternative for Germany ahead of national elections.**
Around 160,000 demonstrators filled the streets of Berlin this weekend, expressing their outrage at what they perceive as an alarming shift towards far-right politics in Germany. The protests were triggered after the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, sought support from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) for a non-binding resolution on immigration. Many amongst the crowd saw this as a significant breach of a long-standing political taboo against working with extremist parties.
Participants in the rally were fueled by feelings of urgency as Germans approach their national elections in just a few weeks. The crowds initially gathered outside the Bundestag, the seat of Germany's parliament, before marching towards the CDU's headquarters. Among the protestors was Anna Schwarz, 34, who stated her first-ever participation in a political event was motivated by her desire to ensure democratic values are upheld. She emphasized the need for so-called "democratic" parties to stand firm against the rising extremism.
Despite polls showing CDU as the frontrunner in the upcoming election, the AfD has made significant gains, currently sitting in second place. Merz has distanced himself from coalition talks with the AfD, even as he faced scrutiny from former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Following the passage of a non-binding immigration law resolution and the rejection of a CDU-supported bill aimed at stricter immigration controls, critics including Merkel accused Merz of abandoning previous commitments to keep far-right parties at bay.
Merz maintained that seeking support for the resolution was a necessary political maneuver, claiming that principles should not change simply because they attract the backing of controversial entities. As the demonstrations unfolded, they underscored the deep-rooted concerns among Germans regarding extremist influence in their democracy and the potential implications for the upcoming elections.
Participants in the rally were fueled by feelings of urgency as Germans approach their national elections in just a few weeks. The crowds initially gathered outside the Bundestag, the seat of Germany's parliament, before marching towards the CDU's headquarters. Among the protestors was Anna Schwarz, 34, who stated her first-ever participation in a political event was motivated by her desire to ensure democratic values are upheld. She emphasized the need for so-called "democratic" parties to stand firm against the rising extremism.
Despite polls showing CDU as the frontrunner in the upcoming election, the AfD has made significant gains, currently sitting in second place. Merz has distanced himself from coalition talks with the AfD, even as he faced scrutiny from former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Following the passage of a non-binding immigration law resolution and the rejection of a CDU-supported bill aimed at stricter immigration controls, critics including Merkel accused Merz of abandoning previous commitments to keep far-right parties at bay.
Merz maintained that seeking support for the resolution was a necessary political maneuver, claiming that principles should not change simply because they attract the backing of controversial entities. As the demonstrations unfolded, they underscored the deep-rooted concerns among Germans regarding extremist influence in their democracy and the potential implications for the upcoming elections.
