The trigger was a debate about integration and language courses for refugees. Schweitzer defended the country’s integration policy and sharply attacked the AfD. At the same time, he criticized plans at the federal level to restrict language support.

“Your parallel universe has nothing to do with Rhineland-Palatinate”

“Mr. Bollinger, Mr. Bollinger, stop it. Your parallel universe has nothing to do with Rhineland-Palatinate. In Rhineland-Palatinate we are proud that we have people with a migrant background who have made this country strong and economically stronger,” said Schweitzer.

“A country in the worst condition since it was founded,” Bollinger chimed in. Schweitzer continued: “Mr. Bollinger, if you don’t even have the courage. You don’t even have the courage to stand behind the statement of a party colleague. You don’t even have the courage to clarify that. You don’t even have the courage to take your own position.” Bollinger defended himself: “I stand up for myself!”

Bollinger defends himself: “You should be ashamed”

CDU candidate Schnieder also attacked Bollinger: “As long as you use the word remigration, it means millions of people will be deported and deported from this country.”

“You are a failure,” said the AfD candidate. “You should be ashamed of yourself for acting like that and arguing like that. (…) Well, well, well. If, if only the insults are left, that says more about you than anything else. You should be ashamed of what you say,” answered Schnieder.

The heated debate is part of the election campaign ten days before State election in Rhineland-Palatinate. In the program, the top candidates from the SPD, CDU, AfD, Greens, Left, Free Voters and FDP answered questions from the audience. In addition to migration, topics such as health care, education, industrial jobs and climate policy were also discussed. A new state parliament will be elected on March 22nd.