German Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has expressed a strong stance against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, stating that he feels closer to the Social Democrats and the Greens due to the AfD’s radical and latent aggressive nature in the German parliament.
Weimer’s opposition to the AfD is rooted in the party’s radicalism and anti-democratic tendencies. He believes that democrats rely on the power of argument, whereas antidemocrats rely on resentment, a significant difference.
The debate on whether the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) should collaborate with the AfD has been ongoing in conservative circles, with some, like historian Andreas Rödder, advocating for cooperation. However, Weimer is resolute in his stance, arguing that the AfD is not the extended arm of a conservative movement, but rather a party with authoritarian tendencies, mirroring global trends.
Weimer also expressed concerns about the erosion of freedom in the United States, stating that the country is moving towards an authoritarian state. He believes that the four major world powers – China, Russia, India and the United States – are shifting towards authoritarianism and nationalism, with freedom spaces under attack in a way that was previously unimaginable.
As the responsible minister for culture and media in the Chancellery, Weimer is pushing for stricter regulation of digital platforms to counter the threat of political and economic concentration of power. He proposes a “ten percent tax” on the companies, citing the need to address the issue of these corporations not paying “meaningful taxes” in the past.
Weimer has already had positive discussions with the factions and relevant ministries and believes that there is a broad majority in favor of his proposal. He is now moving forward with the implementation of the plan.