German conservatives want 'democratic' alliance after historic vote
Leading members of Germany's Christian Democrats (CDU) on Thursday demanded a broad alliance against the Alternative for Germany (AfD), one day after a historic motion on migration policy passed in parliament with the backing of the far-right party.
Hendrik Wüst, the premier of the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, denounced the AfD in a speech in Dusseldorf and said that "the major problems of our time must be solved from the democratic centre."
The AfD "is misanthropic, it is racist in parts, it is anti-European," said Wüst, who leads Germany's most populous state.
On Wednesday, the CDU relied on support from the AfD to narrowly pass its non-binding five-point plan for a tougher migration policy through the Bundestag, the lower house of Germany's parliament.
The move was extremely controversial, marking the first time the AfD have been relied upon to form a majority for legislation.
Another vote on a CDU-backed package of migration policies is expected in parliament on Friday with concrete measures aimed at cracking down on asylum-seekers entering the country.
The AfD and two minor parties have signalled they will support the bill.
Wüst did not address the votes directly, but said that Germans are worried about crime and migration and "it must not happen that only the right-wing fringe provides the quick answers."
The CDU premier of the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, Daniel Günther, appealed explicitly to other established parties to back Friday's bill.
"There is a broad majority in the population in favor of having clear rules when it comes to internal security and the enforcement of law and order," said Günther. "And it must be democrats who come to a common solution here."
He called Wednesday's vote "bitter" and said that mainstream democratic politicians now have "a real historical responsibility to face."
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But after Wagner forces mutinied in Russia in 2023 and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was killed two months later in a suspicious plane crash, Moscow tightened its grip. Russian military operations in Africa were restructured, with the Kremlin taking greater control through Africa Corps. It is overseen by the commander of Unit 29155, one of the most notorious branches of Russia's shadowy GRU military intelligence service, according to the European Union. Unit 29155 has been accused of covertly attacking Western interests for years, including through sabotage and assassination attempts. The EU in December targeted Unit 29155 Maj. Gen. Andrey Averyanov with sanctions, alleging that he is in charge of Africa Corps operations. 'In many African countries, Russian forces provide security to military juntas that have overthrown legitimate democratic governments, gravely worsening the stability, security and democracy of the countries,' the EU sanctions ruling said. These operations are financed by exploiting the continent's natural resources, the ruling added. The Russian Ministry of Defense didn't immediately respond to questions about Averyanov's role in Africa Corps. Africa Corps recruitment Researchers and military officials say the flow of weapons from Russia appears to be speeding Africa Corps' ascendancy over Wagner, helping it win over mercenaries that have remained loyal to the group. Africa Corps is also is recruiting in Russia, offering payments of up to 2.1 million rubles ($26,500), and even plots of land, for signing a contract with the Ministry of Defense, plus more on deployment. Within days of the latest equipment delivery, Wagner announced its withdrawal from Mali, declaring 'mission accomplished" in a Telegram post. Africa Corps said in a separate post that it would remain. 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