Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU, faced significant criticism after the party voted with the far-right AfD in the Bundestag for a migration proposal, raising concerns about the integrity of the CDU's stance against the far-right.

Voters express fears that Merz's approach risks eroding democratic norms and could lead to a repeat of historical mistakes reminiscent of the Weimar Republic.

A recent YouGov poll revealed that 80% of Germans worry about the implications of Merz's relationship with the AfD for governance.

Although Merz has firmly rejected the idea of forming a coalition with the AfD, skepticism remains among the electorate, with 43% doubting his commitment to this stance.

Critics accuse Merz of breaking long-standing taboos regarding collaboration with the AfD, despite his attempts to frame the recent events as a victory for democracy.

At a recent CSU party conference, Merz reiterated his stance against collaborating with the AfD, yet critics argue that his recent actions suggest otherwise.

While migration dominates current discussions, other pressing issues like housing shortages remain unaddressed, highlighting the complexity of public opinion on immigration.

Despite Merz's controversial tactics, polls indicate negligible shifts toward his CDU/CSU party, which is projected to receive about 30% of the vote in the upcoming election, while the AfD remains at over 20%.

Polling data indicates that the AfD's popularity has surged since Christmas, likely due to heightened public concern following a violent incident in Magdeburg.

The turbulent political landscape has caused voters to question the capability of centrist parties to unite effectively, further complicating the election dynamics.

Public protests have emerged against the CDU/CSU's perceived weakening of barriers against the AfD, which party leaders dispute, indicating rising tensions surrounding immigration policies.

As the political landscape intensifies, distractions from events like the FC Köln football team's recent match loss illustrate the broader societal focus on the upcoming elections.