“A destructive force”: Chancellor Merz’s harsh attack on AfD after the far-right party’s first major electoral victory in Germany

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz launched a sharp attack in the German parliament against Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), labeling the political formation a “destructive force” following the party's first major electoral victory in the country.

In a related development, Chancellor Merz postponed a planned telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, which had been scheduled for September 11. The rescheduling coincided with Trump's decision to publicly congratulate the ultraright AfD party on its recent electoral success.