Merz Postpones Call After Trump Congratulates German Far-Right Party on Victory... Launches Fierce Attack, Calling It an "Ethnic Cleansing and Pro-Russian Party"

[Financial News] German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has postponed a scheduled phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. As this came immediately after President Trump publicly congratulated the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a far-right party, on its victory in the local elections, some speculate that it reflects the uncomfortable atmosphere between the two sides.
According to British media on the 9th (local time), Chancellor Merz postponed a phone call with President Trump that had been scheduled for that day. German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius explained that it was not due to a scheduling conflict, although he did not disclose the specific reason. However, he did not confirm whether there was a direct link between President Trump's recent remarks and the postponement of the call.
Earlier, President Trump publicly praised the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which had recently won the election in Saxony-Anhalt, through Truth Social. He claimed, "Germany's populist party had a really great night," adding, "They finally got tired of the terrible immigration rules that have caused Germany so much damage." He continued, "They are on the rise and will no longer tolerate it," and wrote "MGGA!!!" at the end of the post. This appears to be a variation of "Make America Great Again (MAGA)," meaning "Make Germany Great Again."
It is considered unusual for a foreign head of state to publicly comment on the results of Germany's local elections. The German government has long expressed displeasure when foreign politicians intervene in or comment on its elections and domestic politics.
Meanwhile, Chancellor Merz stepped up his offensive against the AfD in the Bundestag.
He criticized the so-called "remigration" policy advocated by the AfD, saying that "if implemented, it would be nothing more than another expression of 'ethnic cleansing' based on origin and skin color." Remigration is a concept calling for expanded repatriation of undocumented immigrants and foreigners whose asylum applications have been rejected, and the AfD promotes it as a major immigration policy. The AfD also pledged this policy in the recent Saxony-Anhalt state election and proposed educating refugee children in separate classes.
Chancellor Merz argued that if such policies were implemented, they would deal a severe blow to the German economy. He warned of labor shortages in industries dependent on migrant workers, saying, "Not even a single nursing home would be able to operate properly, and hospitals and restaurants would not be able to keep their doors open."
Chancellor Merz also targeted the AfD's pro-Russian stance. He criticized the AfD's calls to halt aid to Ukraine and restore relations with Russia, saying that the party "consistently stands on Russia's side rather than Germany's interests."
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