Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union (CSU) has launched a counteroffensive following criticism regarding the federal government’s approach to the Alternative for Germany (AfD). In an interview with the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” Dobrindt stated that the AfD does not offer solutions but rather fuels sentiments and seeks to divide society. He accused the party of unnecessarily exacerbating anxieties within the population, claiming they attempt to artificially inflate uncertainty.
Dobrindt’s remarks come in response to ongoing debate surrounding the migration policy of the black-red coalition government. The AfD’s increasing polling figures have prompted questions about the effectiveness of Dobrindt’s strategy, which aims to reduce polarization in German society-and consequently the AfD’s support-through a stricter asylum policy.
While recent asylum figures indicate a decline in migration, with first-time asylum requests dropping by 60 percent in August, the AfD continues to gain support in opinion polls. Currently, the party commands 39 percent of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, where a new state parliament will be elected next year, according to an Infratest poll.
Dobrindt defended the coalition’s migration policy, pointing to the declining asylum figures as evidence. He attributed the reduction to the government’s consistent implementation of a policy shift, highlighting border controls, accelerated deportations and agreements at the European level. He asserted that those in positions of responsibility offer solutions and that the government is actively doing so, believing that trust in democracy is fostered through tangible results.