Germany’s likely next chancellor wants tougher migration measures even with AfD support, triggering a fierce pre-election debate.

The conservative CDU/CSU party is hardening its stance on irregular immigration. Others in Europe have already paved the way.

Social Democrat Scholz warns that Merz's proposal for permanent border controls would violate EU law, damage the economy, and threaten stability - Anadolu Ajansı

Conservative leader Friedrich Merz has presented a five-point plan to end irregular migration. However, both EU and German law would make it difficult for him to set his plan in motion.

This will break Europe,” Robert Habeck says, as fears grow over the broader implications of collaboration between the CDU and AfD.

Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become chancellor in February's election, caused an uproar by agreeing to work with the far-right AfD on immigration measures.

Context: Brussels is “reviewing” its probes into tech groups including Apple, Meta and Google, launched under its landmark digital markets rules. Trump said he considered fines imposed by the EU on US tech companies operating there as a “form of taxation”, and has vowed to retaliate.

Mr Merz argued the need “to negotiate with the American side from a position of strength”. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Opposition leader Friedrich Merz, leading in the race to become Germany's next chancellor, pledged on Monday to bring a law on restoring border controls before parliament this week even if it needed to be passed with far-right support.

Plans to reject more asylum seekers at Germany's borders tabled by the opposition conservatives passed in parliament on Wednesday with the help of votes from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Germany’s parliament has narrowly approved a call by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s main challenger to turn back many more migrants at the country’s borders, with apparent backing from a far-right party.