Friedrich Merz, the conservative frontrunner in the German election, vowed to hold course on his disputed plan to limit migration despite public protest and to restore growth to the country’s ailing economy.

Merz, leader of the Christian Democrats, had sought to restrict immigration rules with the support of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The bill fell short of 12 votes on Friday. Twelve MPs from Merz’s parliamentary group were absent.

Merz drew protests after he put a motion to parliament last week calling for Germany to turn back many more migrants at its borders and it passed narrowly because of support from the AfD