Coverage dated September 9, 2026

Merz accuses AfD of ‘ethnic cleansing’ policy and cancels call with Trump

Headline from The Guardian

German chancellor attacks Alternative für Deutschland after far-right party’s win in Saxony-Anhalt election Europe live – latest updates Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz , has accused the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) of seeking “ethnic cleansing” with its “remigration” drive, afte…

The Guardian's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Earlier updates in this story

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Reports & sources

5 articles, oldest first.

  1. Bloomberg

    Merz Attacks Far-Right for Support of Russia, ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ (opens Bloomberg)

    Published

    Bloomberg's feed description

    Chancellor Friedrich Merz lashed out at the far-right Alternative for Germany for its embrace of Russia and migration aims that amount to “ethnic cleansing” as his government grapples with the fallout of the party’s surge in a state election this week.

  2. Deutsche Welle

    Germany news: Merz, Weidel face off after AfD state win (opens Deutsche Welle)

    Published

    Deutsche Welle's feed description

    Alice Weidel and Friedrich Merz are facing off in the Bundestag days after the AfD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt has put new pressure on the German chancellor. DW has the latest.

  3. BBC News

    Germany's Merz attacks AfD in stormy debate after far-right election win (opens BBC News)

    Published

    BBC News's feed description

    Germany's chancellor clashes with AfD leader Alice Weidel, saying her migration policy amounts to "ethnic cleansing" for skilled workers.

  4. The Guardian

    Merz accuses AfD of ‘ethnic cleansing’ policy and cancels call with Trump (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    German chancellor attacks Alternative für Deutschland after far-right party’s win in Saxony-Anhalt election Europe live – latest updates Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz , has accused the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) of seeking “ethnic cleansing” with its “remigration” drive, afte…

  5. Washington Examiner

    Merz accuses AfD of ‘ethnic cleansing’ agenda, postpones call with Trump after president praises party (opens Washington Examiner)

    Published

    Washington Examiner's feed description

    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is stonewalling President Donald Trump after the U.S. leader celebrated the victory of a party the chancellor claims is promoting “ethnic cleansing.” Merz publicly confronted the Alternative for Deutschland in a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, just days after the …