Germany’s parliament has voted against a proposed immigration bill supported by the conservative opposition and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The vote, held on Friday, saw the bill defeated by 350 votes to 338,

The bill’s defeat — after Merz secured the passage of a similar motion on Wednesday — suggests that some of his own parliamentary group voted against the bill. All of which puts him in an uncomfortable position little more than three weeks from an election that has looked like his to lose.

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s parliament is expected to vote Friday on an opposition bill calling for tougher rules on migration that could become the first legislation to pass thanks to a far-right party — adding to a controversy about the attitude of the front-runner in Germany’s upcoming election toward the far right.

The Bundestag has narrowly rejected a bill to limit migration and close Germany’s borders. German conservatives caused outrage by relying on the far right to try to push through the bill through parliament.

Germany's parliament narrowly rejected a bill proposing stricter migration rules, sparking controversy over opposition leader Friedrich Merz's approach and his party's stance toward the far-right. The rejection amplifies divisions among major parties ahead of Germany's elections,

After the conservative CDU-CSU bloc joined with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland party to pass a non-binding motion cracking down on immigration on MPs voted 338-350 to reject a bill on the issue.

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.

A narrow majority of German voters approve of conservative leader Friedrich Merz's controversial decision to push for migration reforms in parliament with the support of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).