(30 Jan 2025)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dresden – 30 January 2025
1. Various of Christian Democratic Union leader and candidate for German chancellor Friedrich Merz arriving at campaign
2. Merz entering stage
3. Close of Merz’s face
4. Merz and Saxony governor at stage
5. Close of Merz’s hands
6. Cameraperson
7. Wide of Merz at stage speaking
8. SOUNDBITE (German) Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union leader and candidate for German chancellor:
"That is why I would like to take this opportunity to call on the Social Democrats and the Greens to use their communication channels to call for moderation, to call for restraint and to call for us in the political centre of our country to agree on the key issues. And because we are now in such a current situation, because we saw a decision in the German parliament yesterday and have another one tomorrow. I want to make it very clear and very clear once again, I am not looking for majorities outside the broad spectrum of the political centre."
9. Mid of people clapping
10. Merz on stage
11. Mid of people in the crowd listening to Merz
12. SOUNDBITE (German) Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union leader and candidate for German chancellor:
"I am also driven to take on this task, that I want to ensure that the policies of my party are also corrected to such an extent that a party like the alternative so-called, Alternative for Germany, is no longer needed in our country. That is what I want to achieve."
13. Wide of people applauding
14. Merz on stage
15. SOUNDBITE (German) Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union leader and candidate for German chancellor:
"And the Greens and the Social Democrats are, one may even feel sorry about it, but these two parties are now a shrinking social and political minority. Such a social and political minority should not use a party like the AfD as a tool to ensure that the political majority in Germany is not heard, is ignored, and that the will of this majority is not adequately represented in the German parliament."
16. People applauding
17. Merz, seen through camera screen
18. Poster on floor reading (in German) "Forwards again"
19. Dresden beauty shot
STORYLINE:
Christian Democratic Union leader Friedrich Merz on Thursday called on the Social Democrats and Green parties to "call for restraint" as protests erupted across Germany in response to a migration vote in Germany’s parliament.
Germany’s parliament on Wednesday narrowly approved a call by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s main challenger to turn back many more migrants at the country’s borders, with the help of a far-right party, Alternative for Germany, or AfD — a move that drew strong criticism of the front-runner in the campaign for next month’s election.
Merz, the front-runner in Germany’s election next month, was criticized for putting to parliament the proposals for tough new migration rules that only passed with the help of a far-right party.
Protesters took to the streets outside of CDU headquarters in Berlin, Munich and Leipzig in response.
During an election campaign appearance in Dresden, Merz tried to clarify his relationship with AfD.
"I want to make it very clear and very clear once again, I am not looking for majorities outside the broad spectrum of the political centre," he said.
On Friday, the Union plans to call a vote on months-old proposed legislation that calls for an end to family reunions for migrants with a protection status that falls short of asylum.
The measure also could pass with AfD votes, though it would need approval from parliament’s upper house, which is uncertain.
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