German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday accused his conservative rival Friedrich Merz of being ready to cooperate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), as the rivals faced off in a heated TV debate just two weeks before the country heads to the polls.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday accused election rival Friedrich Merz of having broken his word by accepting support from the far-right AfD to push an anti-immigration motion through parliament.

SPD Chancellor Olaf Scholz and CDU leader Friedrich Merz fought a tough TV duel on Sunday evening - particularly over how to deal with the right-wing

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday said his conservative rival Friedrich Merz's promises to rule out cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) can "no longer be trusted," just two weeks before Germany heads to the polls.

Social Democrat outperforms conservative rival Friedrich Merz on credibility and appeal in heated debate focusing on migration, economy and foreign affairs - Anadolu Ajansı

More than 200,000 protesters rallied in Munich, Germany, on Saturday against far-right extremism ahead of the country's general election. The far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany, or AfD, is in second place in recent polls and has prompted widespread protests across the country before voters cast their ballots on Feb. 23.

More than 200,000 protesters have demonstrated in Munich against far-right extremism ahead of the German general election

Center-right and center-left chancellor candidates clashed in a fiery debate, exposing deep divisions just weeks ahead of a national election.

Members of the German chancellor's Social Democratic Party are increasingly speculating that Scholz's defence minister, Boris Pistorius, is a more popular choice to lead the country. View on euronews