AfD files defamation complaint against Merz over 'ethnic cleansing' remarks

Stephan Brandner, a senior member of the AfD's parliamentary group, stated that Merz's insinuation of ethnic cleansing, which he equated to expulsions and murders, crossed a legal line and warranted judicial action. Under Article 46 of Germany's Basic Law, Bundestag members typically have immunity for statements made in parliament, but this protection does not extend to defamatory insults.

Merz's comments come days after the AfD won a landslide victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD's concept of 'remigration' encompasses the deportation of migrants without legal status and the mass removal of immigrants and their descendants. The party included a chapter on 'immigration and remigration' in its election program for Saxony-Anhalt.

Merz also attacked the AfD over its Russia-friendly positions, accusing the party of ignoring the threat facing Germany and of supporting Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing the country.