Germany's Merz accuses far-right AfD of calling for 'ethnic cleansing'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Wednesday of backing Russia against Germany’s interests and promoting anti-migration policies he said amount to “ethnic cleansing.” Speaking to parliament after the AfD’s win in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, Merz argued that its “remigration” idea would effectively target people based on origin and skin color. He also criticized the AfD’s stance on Ukraine, saying the party remained “steadfastly on Russia’s side” even after a planned drone attack at a German airport last month, which Merz said Moscow carried out; Russia denies it. In response, the AfD told Reuters that Merz mischaracterized it and that its policies are legal, while noting Germany’s domestic intelligence classifies it as right-wing extremist.