ANTI-MIGRANT PROTESTS
Angela Merkel accuses far-right of stoking tension after fatal stabbing
Berlin — Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday accused the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) of using violent protests over a fatal stabbing of a German man blamed on migrants to stir up ethnic tension. Far-right groups clashed with police and chased people they deemed to be migrants in the eastern city of Chemnitz on August 26 after police said a Syrian and an Iraqi had been detained as suspects in the killing of the 35-year-old. AfD leader Alexander Gauland had earlier this week urged a “peaceful revolution” against Merkel’s liberal immigration policy and said this required banishing politicians and members of the media who support the “Merkel system”. Asked about the role of the AfD in the events in Chemnitz, Merkel told the RTL broadcaster: “The AfD is stirring up the mood and this has to be said clearly. I view some of their remarks very critically.” The protests in Chemnitz have started a national debate about whether politicians are being too complacent in the face of ri...
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