Green Party Chancellor candidate Robert Habeck has strongly criticized CDU leader Friedrich Merz for collaborating with the far-right AfD in recent Bundestag votes on migration policy.

Speaking at a campaign event in Frankfurt, Habeck accused Merz of distorting reality and failing to take responsibility for his actions.

He emphasized that political leaders must own their decisions and called on Merz to apologize for underestimating the impact of aligning with the AfD.

Habeck also positioned the Greens as a new political home for centrist voters, rejecting populism and advocating for diversity.

The controversy has sparked protests and calls from various political groups to exclude the CDU from future coalitions as long as Merz remains its leader.