Former North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Armin Laschet does not perceive a rightward shift within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He vigorously disputes the impression that the Union is trailing behind the Alternative for Germany (AfD), as stated in an interview with the Rheinische Post.
Laschet attributes the perceived shift to the changing times rather than the party itself. He notes that the election program has remained largely unchanged, with 80 to 90 percent of its content similar to that of 2021. The core issues, he says, are still similar, with the migration policy merely having a different emphasis.
When asked if he still feels at home in the CDU, Laschet replied, “Of course.” He also downplays the debate surrounding the revocation of citizenship for individuals with dual nationality, stating that it only affects a small number of people who actively engage in violence against the German state.
Laschet emphasizes that the Union should not move an inch to the right and that the best strategy against the AfD is to govern well. He warns that the pressure on the next government will be immense, saying, “If the next government fails, we’ll have the AfD at the top in 2029.”
Regarding potential mistakes made by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Laschet says, “I would never say that nothing like that would have happened to me. That would be presumptuous.” He admits to having thought about how he would have reacted and what he would have done differently, stating, “I think it would have been more human and communicative if I had explained things more clearly.”
Laschet praises Scholz for having faced many challenging situations, but notes that the times have always been demanding, even for Angela Merkel, who he believes gained strength from navigating those challenges. “In a way, a crisis is an opportunity for a chancellor” he says. In comparison to former chancellors, Laschet says, “I don’t recall much about Olaf Scholz.