Angela Merkel has sparked outrage after urging people with migrant backgrounds to take part in Germany’s elections and vote in a way that prevents the rise of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD). In an interview with Hesse Broadcasting earlier this month, the former Chancellor stressed the importance of democratic participation, particularly among those who have gained German citizenship in recent years.

Ms Merkel – who served as Chancellor from the conservative, centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) from 2005 to 2021 – argued that voting is a key way to shape the country’s future and defend its political direction. She said: “I wish everyone would stand together against this party. And we do not split ourselves as a political centre, I say, on to those who have a migration history and those who have none. Because then our country would become weaker against the AfD.

“Whether a German citizen has been a German citizen for two years or for four days or the entire family for three generations, it doesn’t matter. We are the German people… We must also stick together when we have to take action against people who have completely different ideas about our future.”

Her remarks have triggered a fierce backlash from critics who have accused her of interfering in democratic choice and singling out one party unfairly. Opponents have also said her comments risk deepening political divisions and undermining trust in the electoral process. AfD leader Alice Weidel hit back at Merkel’s comments, claiming the former Chancellor had “inflicted severe damage” on Germany.

“In addition to the ruin of our energy infrastructure and the open borders for everyone from all over the world, she is now calling on naturalised ‘people with a migration background’ not to vote for the AfD,” she added.

Ms Merkel, who led Germany for 16 years, has largely stayed out of frontline politics since stepping down in 2021. In late 2024, she published her memoirs, titled Freedom (Freiheit), a 700-page book co-written with her longtime aide, Beate Baumann. The book outlines her political career, interactions with world leaders, including Putin and Donald Trump, and defends her policy decisions. She occasionally makes public appearances, such as attending events at the Berliner Ensemble theatre.

In last year’s elections, the AfD achieved 20.8% of the vote – the second-most seats in Germany’s Bundestag Parliament. Current Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s CDU and Christian Social Union (CSU) in Bavaria earned the most seats, forming a coalition government with the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SDP).