Tens of thousands protest in Berlin against proposed German immigration crackdown

People light up their mobile phones during a protest against the migration plans of the CDU party leader and top candidate for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD), in Berlin, Germany February 2, 2025. REUTERS/Christian Mang

BERLIN (Reuters) - Thousands of people protested in Berlin on Sunday against plans to limit immigration proposed by opposition conservatives and supported by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Friedrich Merz, the conservatives' leader who is tipped to become Germany's next chancellor after a national election set for Feb. 23, sponsored a draft bill with AfD support, breaking a taboo against cooperating with the far-right party.