BERLIN, Jan 24 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized his main rival in the upcoming federal elections for considering cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany on disputed migration issues, which he deemed taboo-breaking.
Friedrich Merz, the chancellor candidate for the leading conservative parties CDU/CSU, has traditionally rejected aligning with the nationalist AfD due to their extreme views. However, he has shifted his party's stance on migration to the right to attract voters from AfD.
In response to a recent knife attack by an Afghan asylum seeker, Merz proposed closing Germany's borders to irregular migration and plans to introduce motions in parliament next week, including one giving federal police authority to request arrest warrants for undocumented individuals.
As the Social Democrats and Greens oppose these measures, the conservatives may need support from the AfD and the liberal Free Democrats to pass them.
"We will introduce motions in the Bundestag next week that align with our beliefs," stated Merz, emphasizing that his party won't form a coalition with the AfD or negotiate with them.
Scholz raised concerns about potential collaboration with the AfD, stating, "The firewall to the AfD must not crumble."
Although the conservatives have previously cooperated with the AfD regionally, a national partnership would be unprecedented and could create internal rifts within the CDU/CSU party, according to political experts.
There are speculations that the conservatives might propose an immediate vote in parliament, requiring a two-thirds majority, to appear determined without actually collaborating with the AfD.