German opposition leader Friedrich Merz said he would seek to pass a disputed migration measure in parliament next week with any party willing to back it, a move critics say could break the firewall with the far right weeks before a federal election.

German politicians reacted with shock on Friday after opposition leader Friedrich Merz opened the door to cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on migration reform after an Afghan man was held in connection with a deadly knife attack.

Germany's conservative opposition faced criticism Friday over reports that it was willing to accept the support of the far-right AfD party in a parliamentary vote on toughening migration rules.