[HIGHLIGHTS] Merz rails against gender language: "Hundreds of votes more for the AfD" – wave of criticism follows

Right-wing populist AfD recently achieved record results in polls. According to CDU leader Friedrich Merz, gendering is to blame.

Merz also identified a "weak and constantly arguing government" as the reason for the strengthening of the AfD. The German Journalists' Association (DJV) criticized the statements of Merz as "sheer populism" "The situation is serious and he is just rushing through the area," wrote Green politician Renate Künast on Twitter.