Friedrich Merz leaned the right-wing AfD party to push through measures to restrict immigration.

The man tipped to win Germany's election next month challenged a taboo on cooperation with the far-right on Wednesday by proposing plans to restrict migration that could only pass with the help of votes from the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has issued rare public criticism of her successor as the country’s center-right leader, the front-runner in Germany’s election next month, for putting to parliament proposals for tough new migration rules that only passed with the help of a far-right party.

Germany's opposition conservatives won parliamentary approval on Wednesday for a proposal to drastically restrict migration with the help of votes from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), breaking a taboo on cooperation with the far-right.

A non-binding motion calling for tougher border and asylum rules passed with support from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). During the stormy session, politicians of various parties hurled criticism and blame at each other.