British News Agency

The vote attracted significant attention as the bill was proposed by the Christian Democrats and supported by the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. CDU’s proposed amendment was approved on Wednesday with AfD’s backing. However, it appears that some members of both parties changed their stance in today’s vote, as CDU, CSU, and AfD votes would have been sufficient to approve the law.

CDU leader Friedrich Merz pushed for the bill’s approval. He argued that tightening immigration laws was necessary, especially considering the increasing number of knife attacks in recent months, most of which were committed by migrants or individuals whose applications for international protection in Germany had been denied.

AfD leader Alice Weidel was stunned by the vote count. She told reporters that the outcome was a major blow to Merz. However, on the other side of the parliament, there was great enthusiasm among the ruling and leftist parties.