German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party of pursuing “ethnic cleansing” through its “remigration” campaign. This accusation marks Merz’s first public confrontation with AfD since the party’s surprising electoral gains on Sunday in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The “remigration” campaign advocates for the deportation of people with migrant backgrounds. Merz urged a clear distinction to be made against the AfD's ideologies. The Guardian reported on this significant political development following the Saxony-Anhalt election results. This statement signals a heightened response from mainstream German political figures to the rising influence of the AfD. The accusation reflects growing concerns over the party's increasingly radical rhetoric and policies.