Weinberg, who lost most of his family to the Nazis, expressed that it has become too difficult to bear the honor of the Bundesverdienstkreuz, stating it feels like a heavy burden in light of the current political climate.

Spontaneous protests erupted outside CDU headquarters, reflecting public discontent with the party's decision to align with the AfD.

Umlauf warned that the Union's collaboration with the AfD threatens Germany's democratic firewall and could lead to the normalization of extremist politics.

Holocaust survivor Albrecht Weinberg has announced his decision to return his Federal Cross of Merit in protest against a recent Bundestag vote that saw the CDU/CSU party collaborating with the far-right AfD on migration policy.

The CDU/CSU's proposal, which was narrowly passed with 348 votes in favor, included measures to tighten migration controls and was supported by the AfD, a move that Weinberg views as a significant betrayal of democratic values.

The controversial vote, which took place shortly before the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, has sparked widespread criticism and protests against the collaboration with the far-right.

Toscano, involved in Holocaust remembrance projects, emphasized that migration issues should not be addressed through alliances with right-wing extremists, calling for a strong commitment to democracy.

The CDU's five-point migration plan, which includes measures to turn migrants away at the border, has raised concerns about the potential normalization of extremist ideologies in German politics.

Both Weinberg and fellow Holocaust survivor Eva Umlauf have criticized the decision to partner with the far-right AfD, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic values in addressing migration issues.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the Union's actions as a 'taboo breach', marking a significant shift in the post-war consensus against collaborating with extreme right factions.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly rebuked CDU leader Friedrich Merz for forming a majority with the AfD, stressing the importance of maintaining party integrity and urging democratic parties to unite against right-wing influence.

Weinberg's personal history, including the murder of his parents in Auschwitz, underscores his horror at the AfD's influence in the Bundestag and the implications for Germany's political landscape.