Tens of thousands have protested across Germany against the center-right leader and front-runner in a Feb. 25 election for sending to parliament proposals for tough new migration rules with support of a far-right party.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized Friedrich Merz, her successor as leader of the country’s conservatives, on Thursday for pushing through a bill on tighter immigration control with the help of the far right.

The leader of Germany's conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to the Christian Democrats (CDU), believes the bloc's recent controversial migration votes have significantly strengthened its position ahead of the election.

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s parliament is expected to vote Friday on an opposition bill calling for tougher rules on migration that could become the first legislation to pass thanks to a far-right party — adding to a controversy about the attitude of the front-runner in Germany’s upcoming election toward the far right.

Germany's parliament rejected on Friday an opposition draft law on tightening immigration policy, averting the prospect of a law passing for the first time in modern German history thanks to the backing of the far-right.

Polls show conservative leader Friedrich Merz's Union leading ahead of the Feb. 23 election with around 30% support, while AfD is second with about 20%.

We’ll be covering today’s vote on a divisive anti-immigration bill in Germany’s lower house of parliament, the Bundestag. Conservative leader Friedrich Merz is taking a hard line and attempting to push through legislation with support from the far-right Alternative for Germany party.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised Friedrich Merz, her successor as leader of the country's conservatives, on Thursday for pushing through a bill on tighter immigration control with the help of the far right.