Germany's new interior minister Horst Seehofer has put himself on a collision course with Angela Merkel by declaring: 'Islam doesn't belong to Germany.'

Observers say he is trying to push Mrs. Merkel's fragile new coalition government with the SPD more to the right.

Seehofer is one of many conservative politicians who bitterly disagreed with the chancellor's open door policy on refugees that saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party surge in popularity and bite deep into her CDU majority at last year's general election.

Germany's new interior minister Horst Seehofer (pictured) has put himself on a collision course with Angela Merkel by declaring: 'Islam doesn't belong to Germany'

The AfD used the phrase 'Islam does not belong to Germany' during its election campaign which succeeded in propelling nearly 100 MPs into parliament.

In an interview with popular newspaper Bild Seehofer said: 'No. Islam does not belong to Germany. Germany has been shaped by Christianity.

'Certain Christian-inspired aspects are part of daily life and culture in Germany, such as shops being closed on Sundays and public holidays that correspond to church holidays like Easter, Pentecost and Christmas.

'The Muslims who live with us obviously belong to Germany, but false consideration for others clearly does not mean we give up our country-specific traditions and customs.'

Observers say he is trying to push Angela Merkel's (pictured) fragile new coalition government with the SPD more to the right

Seehofer is over at the interior ministry, now officially called the Interior, Construction and Heimat Ministry.

Heimat roughly translates to 'homeland' is a word heavy with historical baggage that many say harks back to the Nazi era.

Seehofer rejected criticism that the new German Cabinet doesn't include any people of colour, adding: 'Do I have to be a doctor in order to be health minister?'

Seehofer promised to accelerate deportations of rejected asylum-seekers in his new role.

Only this week, an 18-year-old Afghani refugee whose application to remain in Germany was rejected was arrested for allegedly murdering his 17-year-old girlfriend because she would not convert to Islam.