The former German chancellor said it was not right to remain silent after her party, the conservative CDU, relied on votes from the far-right AfD to pass a motion in parliament.

With Germany set for general elections in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) could make historic gains, a group called “Omas Gegen Rechts” or “Grannies Against the Right” are taking to the streets in to persuade voters to reject extremist politics.

The far-right party is walking in the steps of the MAGA movement by courting support in depressed, diverse industrial towns once dominated by the left.

Support for Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU alliance led by Friedrich Merz dropped in a new poll, while the Greens and two smaller far-left parties gained.

Support for Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance has dropped to 28% ahead of elections on February 23, a poll showed on Tuesday, days after it cooperated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) to pass a motion in parliament.

The centre-right CDU has been accused of breaking 'taboo' by putting forward a motion to the Bundestag for a stricter migration policy which was backed by the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD).