AfD Files Complaint Against Chancellor Merz Over ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ Remark

The German political party AfD’s “remigration” concept amounts to “ethnic cleansing based on skin colour and origin”, says German Federal Chancellor Merz, addressing the AfD parliamentary group. The AfD strongly rejects such claims and, according to its own statements, is filing a criminal complaint against the CDU leader.

The parliamentary secretary of the AfD parliamentary group, Stephan Brandner, stated that Merz’s remarks were “relevant under criminal law” and “utterly unacceptable”. The AfD parliamentary group stood “firmly on the ground of the Basic Law”. On the evening of the debate, he described Merz’s remarks as “absolutely appalling”. The Chancellor had come across “like some sort of left‑wing extremist let off the leash”. Brandner himself is currently facing criminal proceedings; according to his own statement, this relates to an appearance he made during the 2023 Hessian state election campaign. The Bundestag has therefore just lifted his parliamentary immunity — yet again.

AfD speaks of “deportation in accordance with the law”

Among right‑wing extremists, the term “remigration” refers to the mass expulsion of people with a migrant background, including by force. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution assesses remigration as a concept that “aims at the creation of ethnically defined societies and thus the expulsion of all ‘foreigners’”. In its statements, the AfD emphasises that the term does not refer to German citizens, but to the “law‑abiding repatriation” of foreign nationals required to leave the country.

The term “ethnic cleansing” is generally used to describe measures aimed at creating an ethnically, culturally or religiously homogeneous area. Under international law, it does not constitute a separate criminal offence. In 1992, the term was voted “Word of the Year” because it was seen as a euphemism for the worst human rights violations and the atrocities of war.

Meanwhile, a statement by Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD’s lead candidate in Saxony‑Anhalt, suggests that the AfD’s “remigration” plans could also involve the use of force. When asked at a press conference about his party’s stance on rearmament, he said: “However, we do not demonise the production of military equipment across the board, because we will naturally need the appropriate resources for future remigration and deportation campaigns. This is also in the interests of internal security.”

Francis Tawiah (Duisburg, Germany)