AfD files criminal defamation complaint against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over remigration comments

Parliamentary clash over remigration

The parliamentary group of Alternative for Germany filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz following statements made during federal budget deliberations in the Bundestag on 9 September 2026. The exchange began after AfD co-leader Alice Weidel criticised the federal government, declaring the chancellor's tenure expired and attacking current immigration policy. Merz defended the economic contribution of foreign-origin workers across German skilled crafts before directly addressing the opposition party's primary platform slogan. His remarks prompted vocal protests from AfD lawmakers across the chamber.

“The word remigration is nothing other than a synonym for ethnic cleansing by origin and skin colour.”

Legal complaint and immunity provisions

Stephan Brandner, parliamentary secretary and legal counsel for the AfD faction, announced the legal filing in a published video, arguing that the chancellor crossed a threshold into criminal defamation. The party contended that equating remigration with ethnic cleansing unlawfully associates the AfD with forced expulsions and killings while defaming both lawmakers and voters. Under Article 46 of the German Basic Law, members of parliament hold indemnity for statements made in the chamber, but the statute provides a specific exception for defamatory insults. Prosecutors may open an investigation under this provision, though bringing formal charges against a sitting lawmaker or chancellor requires the Bundestag to vote to lift parliamentary immunity. Hours prior to the announcement, the Bundestag voted to revoke Brandner's own immunity in an unrelated defamation proceeding.

“The insinuation that the AfD parliamentary group, which stands firmly on the foundations of the Basic Law, advocates ethnic cleansing and therefore ultimately expulsions and killings, is so explicit that the judiciary must intervene.”

Election outcome in Saxony-Anhalt

The confrontation in Berlin followed the regional state election held in Saxony-Anhalt on 6 September 2026. In that vote, the AfD secured 43.8% of the ballots, more than doubling its vote share from the 2021 election. The governing Christian Democratic Union, led nationally by Merz, finished second with 17%. The term remigration featured prominently in the AfD campaign, occupying a dedicated chapter in the party's regional election manifesto. Public attention surrounding the term increased following reports in January 2024 regarding a November 2023 meeting in Potsdam where far-right figures discussed population expulsion plans.

AfD43.8%

CDU17%

AfD

43.8 %

CDU

17 %

Data from the article text

Arms production remarks by regional candidate

Further political dispute emerged over statements by Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD top candidate in Saxony-Anhalt, following a parliamentary meeting in Magdeburg. Asked about an Israeli arms manufacturer, Siegmund stated that his party does not condemn weapons manufacturing because corresponding resources will be required for a future deportation and remigration offensive. Katja Pähle, head of the Social Democratic Party group in the state parliament, called the remark a political threat, while Green Party parliamentary manager Irene Mihalic described the statement as deeply shocking. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance distanced itself from potential cooperation. Siegmund responded by stating that the equipment was intended for the Bundeswehr, police, and security agencies to enforce deportation orders.