Friedrich Merz, the conservative frontrunner in the German election, vowed to hold course on his disputed plan to limit migration despite public protest and to restore growth to the country’s ailing economy.

Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats, had sought to restrict immigration rules with the support of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The bill fell short of 12 votes on Friday. Twelve MPs from Merz’s parliamentary group were absent.

Protesters accuse Friedrich Merz and his Christian Democrats of breaking Germany’s unwritten post-Nazi promise to never pass any rule or resolution in parliament with support of far-right, nationalist

The front-runner in Germany’s upcoming election says the far-right Alternative for Germany is his “most important opponent” and his party will “never” work with it

Friedrich Merz, the favourite to become Germany's next chancellor, said on Monday that he is ready to lead the country as his conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) assembled in Berlin for a party conference weeks ahead of national elections.

The sweat was dripping off Friedrich Merz after the frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor saw his bid to outflank an ascendant far right spectacularly backfire in the Bundestag.