Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised Friedrich Merz, her successor as leader of the country's conservatives, on Thursday for pushing through a bill on tighter immigration control with the help of the far right.

During an event organized by the magazine "Die Zeit" in Hamburg, Merkel emphasized that it is a "matter of fundamental importance." Read also: CDU backlash: Merkel urged to stay silent on Merz's migrant plans Merkel pointed to the growing polarization in German politics,

Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, firmly defends her criticism of the CDU for cooperating with the AfD, emphasizing that it is "a question of fundamental importance." Angela Merkel expressed her concern over the CDU’s cooperation with the right-wing populist AfD at an event organized by the magazine "Die Zeit" in Hamburg.