Merkel’s party, nationalists oppose aid for neo-Nazi victims

BERLIN – Lawmakers from Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative Christian Democratic Union and the right-wing nationalist Alternative for Germany party have voted against giving financial support to relatives of people killed by a suspected far-right group.

Three left-wing parties that govern the eastern state of Thuringia voted Friday to establish a memorial to those killed by the National Socialist Underground and set up a fund for their families.

Alleged members of the far-right group grew up in Thuringia and evaded arrest there for years. Two were found dead in Eisenach in 2011, while a third suspected member — Beate Zschaepe — is currently on trial.

Merkel’s party lost a considerable number of voters to Alternative for Germany in Sunday’s national election and some members have called for a swing to the right.