The Co-Chair of the Greens’ parliamentary group, Katharina Dröge and Britta Haßelmann, have expressed their disappointment in Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, stating that he has broken his promise not to form a government coalition with the AfD.
Dröge told the Rheinische Post that “we’re already wondering what we can still believe from him. Once someone breaks their word, it’s hard to believe they won’t do it again.” Haßelmann echoed Dröge’s sentiments, stating that she sees the dangers posed by the AfD, but is also concerned about the Union’s behavior. She accused Merz of leading the Union into a dead end and said that the recent joint voting by CDU, CSU and AfD is a turning point not only in the Bundestag, but also for the country.
The Greens’ leaders called on Merz to return to the political center and warned that a coalition with the Union is still possible, but not with the AfD. “Democrats must be able to negotiate with each other” Dröge said. “The joint voting by CDU and AfD was a taboo-break that should not have happened. That’s why we’re saying loudly: Mr. Merz, come back to the political center.”
Dröge also criticized the Union’s stance on migration, saying that the churches have protested against Merz’s plans, but the Union seems uninterested. She quoted NRW’s Minister President Hendrik Wüst, who called the AfD a Nazi party and questioned why he is not contradicting Merz’s stance.
Haßelmann emphasized the importance of democratic forces being able to form alliances, stating that “how can we otherwise deal with the will of the voters in a reasonable way? Of course, democrats must be able to have conversations and seek consensus. Everything else will be clear after February 23rd.