In this image released on Friday, January, 31, 2025, Germany elects a new Bundestag on February 23. The issue of migration plays a particularly important role, not least for supporters

When the CDU motions passed on Wednesday evening, by four votes, an eerie silence hung for a moment over the Bundestag chamber. Then AfD parliamentarians began applauding what they see as the first chink of light in the CDU’s so-called “firewall” against political co-operation with them.

On February 23, Germany elects a new Bundestag. The issue of migration plays a particularly important role, not least for supporters of the far-right AfD party - seen here at a demonstration in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin, the seat of the Bundestag, in 2022. (Photo by Christoph Soeder/dpa)

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 the help of a far-right party.

Germany's parliament narrowly passed a resolution Wednesday urging tough restrictions on immigration that was especially controversial because it was backed by the far-right AfD

Germany's mainstream parties were locked in talks on Friday in an attempt to avert the possibility of a law passing thanks to far-right support for the first time in its post-war history.

Conservatives have cooperated with the far-right AfD for the first time, amid growing support from the tech billionaire.

Friedrich Merz, the front-runner to become Germany’s next chancellor, relied on votes from the far-right AfD to push an anti-migration motion through parliament.

A non-binding motion to restrict immigration has sparked outrage after citizens said the conservative CDU/CSU broke a promise not to work with the far-right AfD. Protesters in Berlin gathered outside CDU headquarters.

Alternative for Germany helped push an immigration restriction proposal over the threshold, breaking the "firewall" surrounding the right-wing party.

Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become chancellor in February's election, is making waves by agreeing to work with the far-right AfD on immigration rules.