Scholz Slams AfD for Risking a Brexit ‘Disaster’ for Germany

  • Chancellor lambasts far-right AfD in fiery speech to Bundestag
  • Urges citizens to fight against rise of right-wing populism
Olaf Scholz at the Bundestag in Berlin, on Jan. 31.Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg
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A combative Olaf Scholz took far-right AfD lawmakers to task in a speech to parliament Wednesday, warning that their proposal for a German version of Brexit would be disastrous for Europe’s biggest economy.

The Social Democrat chancellor, whose ruling coalition is under increasing pressure due to record-low ratings in opinion polls, was on fighting form as he reiterated a plea for citizens to stand up for democracy and halt the rise of right-wing populism in Germany and beyond.