Merz accuses AfD of 'ethnic cleansing' in budget debate

In Germany's parliamentary budget debate, Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the far-right AfD of advocating "ethnic cleansing" through its remigration policies, while AfD leader Alice Weidel attacked the government over migration and deindustrialization. Weidel claimed voters had ended the coalition's mandate, demanded deportations of rejected asylum seekers, and called for purchasing Russian gas. Merz countered that the AfD remained a "destructive force," criticized its silence on an alleged drone attack at Leipzig airport, and defended Ukraine support. The heated exchange highlighted deep political divisions, with both sides using exaggerations. Merz's accusation referred to AfD proposals to deport foreigners, though party leaders deny targeting German citizens.