Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, firmly defends her criticism of the CDU for cooperating with the AfD, emphasizing that it is "a question of fundamental importance." Angela Merkel expressed her concern over the CDU’s cooperation with the right-wing populist AfD at an event organized by the magazine "Die Zeit" in Hamburg.

"After last week's events in the Bundestag, the democratic parties have become polarised," observed Merkel, as quoted by the "Spiegel" weekly portal.

Friedrich Merz, head of the centre-right CDU, relied on support from AfD to pass parliamentary motion on migration.

In rare public statement, Merkel criticizes her party's decision to pass anti-immigration proposal with critical support of far-right party

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Friedrich Merz, her successor as leader of the country’s conservatives, on Thursday for pushing through a bill on tighter immigration control with the help of the far right.

BERLIN - Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the leader of her Christian Democrats (CDU), Friedrich Merz, for drawing on support from the far-right to pass a motion in parliament, in a statement on Thursday.

During an event organized by the magazine "Die Zeit" in Hamburg, Merkel emphasized that it is a "matter of fundamental importance." Read also: CDU backlash: Merkel urged to stay silent on Merz's migrant plans Merkel pointed to the growing polarization in German politics,