Report: Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel could be ousted next week over her immigration policies

Angela Merkel could be ousted as chancellor of Germany as early as next week if she doesn’t devise a new plan for her country’s migrant crisis, according to a member of Germany's parliament.

Why is this happening?

Kai Whittaker, a member of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, said infighting is weakening the ruling coalition and could make the chancellor's position unsustainable, the Daily Mail reported.

Merkel is battling with Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who wants Germany to send back migrants who have registered in other European Union countries. On the other hand, Merkel believes an open-door migrant policy is vital to Europe’s unity.

“This is a European challenge that also needs a European solution,” Merkel said. “And I view this issue as decisive for keeping Europe together.”

Both Merkel and Seehofer are refusing to compromise, the report stated. Forcing Merkel to reverse the open-door migrant policy she has had in place since 2015 would greatly undermine her authority. Merkel is often described as one of the most powerful women in the world.

“We are in a serious situation because the question of the migration crisis evolved into a power question,” Whittaker told BBC radio. “The question is who is leading the government? Is it Angela Merkel or is it Horst Seehofer? Everybody seems to be standing firm and that's the problem.”

If no compromise is reached by Monday, members expect Seehofer to defy Merkel and go ahead with plans alone, the Daily Mail reported.

What are the deadlines?

Merkel wants more time to try to reach bilateral immigration deals with partners such as Italy and Greece. She wants to take up with matter at an EU summit at the end of this month, according to reports. Whittaker, however, is pushing for a plan before the Bavarian state elections on Oct. 14.

“This kind of has the potential to diminish the authority of her and Horts Seehofer and it could well be that at the end of next week we have a new situation,” Whittaker said.

Asked what he meant by “new situation,” Whittaker said he meant “probably a new Chancellor.”

“I can't say it's out of the question,” Whittaker said.