Archive · 11 Sep 2026
AfD Files Complaint Against Chancellor Merz Over Ethnic-Cleansing Remark
Germany’s AfD party filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The complaint followed a heated argument in the German parliament.
Merz said the AfD’s use of the word “remigration” meant ethnic cleansing.
The AfD says the word only means deporting foreign criminals and people who entered Germany illegally.
Some far-right figures have used the word more broadly to include migrants and German citizens with foreign backgrounds.
AfD politician Stephan Brandner said Merz’s statement was unacceptable and untrue.
German lawmakers usually have immunity for things they say inside parliament.
However, the law has an exception for defamatory insults.
Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) filed a criminal complaint against Chancellor Friedrich Merz, according to German media reports.
Merz accused the AfD during a September 9 parliamentary exchange of promoting “ethnic cleansing” through its use of “remigration.”
AfD parliamentary secretary Stephan Brandner called the remark criminal, unacceptable, nonsensical, and defamatory.
The AfD says “remigration” refers to deporting foreign criminals and people who entered Germany illegally.
Some far-right figures have used “remigration” to mean deporting migrants and German citizens of foreign origin; German law generally grants parliamentary immunity for statements made in the chamber, with an exception for defamatory insults.
- Who
- The Alternative for Germany (AfD), Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and AfD lawmaker Stephan Brandner.
- What
- The AfD filed a criminal complaint against Merz over his accusation that the party promotes “ethnic cleansing.”
- When
- The complaint was filed on Friday, September 11, after Merz made the remark on Wednesday, September 9.
- Where
- The remark was made during a heated exchange in the German Bundestag.
- Why
- The AfD says Merz’s characterization of its “remigration” slogan was criminal, unacceptable, and defamatory.
AfD’s Position
Merz’s Characterization
Meaning of “remigration”
AfD’s Position
The AfD says the term refers to deporting foreign criminals and people who entered Germany illegally.
Merz’s Characterization
Merz said “remigration” is a synonym for ethnic cleansing based on skin color and origin.
Assessment of Merz’s statement
AfD’s Position
Stephan Brandner called the remark criminal, unacceptable, nonsensical, and slanderous.
Merz’s Characterization
Merz’s stated position is that the AfD’s slogan promotes ethnic cleansing.
Scope of the term
AfD’s Position
The AfD presents “remigration” as a policy concerning foreign criminals and illegal entrants.
Merz’s Characterization
The article notes that some far-right figures have used the term for deporting migrants and German citizens of foreign origin.
- Complainant
- Alternative for Germany (AfD)
- Target
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- Complaint
- Criminal complaint over an “ethnic cleansing” accusation
- Key term
- “Remigration”
- AfD’s stated meaning
- Deporting foreign criminals and people who entered Germany illegally
- Date of remark
- Wednesday, September 9
- Parliamentary rule
- German lawmakers generally have immunity for statements made in parliament, with an exception for defamatory insults