German Chancellor and AfD Leader Clash in Heated Parliament Debate

In early September 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel faced off in a heated general debate in the Bundestag, just days after the AfD's strong showing in state elections. Weidel told Merz his time was up, while Merz accused the far-right party of wanting to carry out "ethnic cleansing" in Germany. The debate was marked by sharp exchanges between the two political rivals.