A prominent voice within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is questioning the efficacy of current strategies aimed at countering the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), signaling a potential shift in the party’s approach to combating political extremism. Steffen Bilger, a CDU politician, argues that the substantial financial investments made in democracy promotion initiatives have demonstrably failed to curb the AfD’s electoral gains.
Bilger, writing in the German magazine Cicero, dismissed the notion that increased funding – specifically directed towards programs like “Democracy Live” – would inherently translate to a reduction in support for extremist parties. He pointed to a near five-fold increase in the program’s budget since its inception, juxtaposed with a concurrent rise in the AfD’s electoral performance, labeling the approach a “misconception”. This critique directly challenges the prevailing belief that financial resources are the primary lever for mitigating extremist appeal.
While expressing skepticism about blanket funding strategies, Bilger staunchly defended the concept of a “firewall” separating the CDU from the AfD. He emphasized the rhetoric emanating from within the AfD, citing discussions of the “annihilation of the CDU” and asserted that collaboration with such a party is unacceptable. He acknowledged the lack of a universally successful model for conservative parties navigating relationships with right-wing political forces, referencing the varied experiences of other European nations, ranging from attempts at inclusion and coalition to strict demarcation.
The CDU’s reassessment arrives alongside a contentious proposed budget for 2026, which initially allocates an additional 10 million euros to the “Democracy Live” program – a move already facing criticism. Bilger clarified that a rigorous review is planned, emphasizing the need to scrutinize the spending and eliminate programs that lack demonstrable societal value. While he affirmed his commitment to supporting valuable non-governmental organizations (NGOs), conceding their integral role in societal well-being, he stressed that budgetary prudence and cost-effectiveness are now paramount for the CDU’s parliamentary group. This potential scaling back of certain funding streams suggests a move toward a more targeted and results-oriented approach to combating extremism, rather than relying on broad-based financial interventions.