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.

"After last week's events in the Bundestag, the democratic parties have become polarised," observed Merkel, as quoted by the "Spiegel" weekly portal.

BERLIN - Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised the leader of her Christian Democrats (CDU), Friedrich Merz, for drawing on support from the far-right to pass a motion in parliament, in a statement on Thursday.