The Christian Social Union (CSU), Bavaria’s dominant conservative party, is vehemently opposing any softening of the long-standing policy of non-cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), a move increasingly debated within the broader conservative landscape. Martin Huber, the CSU’s General Secretary, delivered a stark warning against abandoning this “firewall” in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, arguing that the AfD poses a fundamental threat to Germany’s stability and its place within Europe.
Huber’s statement underscores a deepening ideological rift within the conservative movement. He accuses the AfD of being unduly influenced by pro-Kremlin actors, highlighting the party’s publicly stated ambitions to withdraw Germany from key international alliances like NATO, the EU and the Eurozone. He cautioned that any compromise with extremist parties historically leads to the erosion and ultimate demise of mainstream conservative forces, citing examples from across Europe.
The CSU’s unwavering stance contrasts with growing internal discussions within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the sister party at the national level. While CDU leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has consistently ruled out coalition agreements with the AfD at the national level, he has subtly opened the door to pragmatic collaboration on local issues – a move some former CDU figures are now advocating as a necessary tactic to maintain local governance. Merz’s comments regarding cooperation on matters like kindergarten placements and road planning have been interpreted by some as a thinly veiled justification for tactical alliances with the AfD in municipalities.
This nascent debate reflects a broader struggle within the CDU regarding how to address the AfD’s growing influence. While the CSU firmly believes in confronting the AfD ideologically and undermining its appeal through effective governance, the CDU appears divided on the best approach, exposing vulnerabilities within the conservative bloc and raising concerns about the potential normalization of a party widely regarded as extremist. The CDU’s scheduled strategy discussion this Sunday is expected to be contentious, signalling a pivotal moment in the future direction of German conservative politics.