German chancellor draws hard line against far-right AfD party

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has taken a definitive stance against any collaboration with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), seeking to quell internal party debate on the matter. Addressing a CDU youth conference in the southwestern city of Rust, Merz stated, “There will be no cooperation with the AfD from the Union. We are worlds apart from that party. We have nothing in common with them. Absolutely nothing!” His comments come amid ongoing discussions within the center-right CDU/CSU union regarding its strategy toward the populist party, particularly with key state elections approaching in eastern Germany where the AfD polls strongly.

A Call to the Coalition Partner

The German leader also directed a challenge to his junior coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Merz emphasized that the responsibility to counter the AfD's political ascent does not lie with his party alone. “The mandate to push back this party is not a mandate directed solely at us. It is also a mandate directed, perhaps more than ever, at the Social Democratic Party of Germany,” he asserted, noting that the SPD has been losing a substantial portion of its voter base to the AfD in recent electoral contests.

The Political Context

This firm rejection is set against a backdrop of significant political gains for the AfD, which currently holds the position of the largest opposition party in the Bundestag. The party's support is notably high in eastern German states, with polls indicating it reaches approximately 40% in some regions, far ahead of its rivals. This popularity presents a complex challenge for Germany's established political factions as they prepare for the upcoming electoral battles and strategize on how to address the AfD's influence.