With the vote on the bill tabled by the Christian Union (CDU/CSU) to restrict immigration, the debate between the government and the opposition culminates today in the federal parliament. The central question remains whether a majority will once again be secured with the votes of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), as was the case the day before yesterday, breaking a decades-old taboo that democratic parties should not cooperate with the far-right. Chancellor Olach Scholz warned of the possibility of post-election CDU-AfD cooperation as well, while CDU leader Friedrich Merz again ruled out any possibility of discussing with the AfD after the elections.

At 11:30 (local time), the Bundestag will begin debating the draft law tabled by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on “restricting the influx” of migrants, which provides among other things not only for controlling but also reducing the number of migrants arriving in Germany, the almost universal suspension of family reunification and the expansion of police powers in managing immigration flows.

The bill has a strong chance of being passed, as Unionist MPs together with members of the Liberal (FDP), AfD and Zara Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) parliamentary groups have declared their intention to support the proposal and are gathering the required votes. With the votes of the far-right and the Liberals and the abstention of the BSW MPs, it was possible the day before yesterday to adopt the corresponding Union resolution, which is however not binding on the government. Today’s bill, on the other hand, could become a state law if it is passed today and then also approved by the Bundesrat (Federal Council). However, according to the website Table Media, the possibility of 15-20 FDP MPs defecting today cannot be ruled out.

Speaking earlier today on the ZEIT podcast, Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned again of the risk of a government coalition between CDU/CSU and AfD, citing the example of Austria. Friedrich Murch, however, reiterated during today’s meeting of his parliamentary group that he does not intend to negotiate post-election with the AfD, regardless of its electoral strength.

Meanwhile, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz, who in an interview with BILD said that Merz is not only right but that the measures he is proposing are urgently needed, has come out in favor of the CDU leader’s proposals and against the position of former Chancellor Angela Merkel. He added that Mrs. Merkel is on the wrong side and that her policies have strengthened the far right in Germany.