The potential for a direct televised confrontation between Bavarian CSU leader Markus Söder and a representative of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the 2028 state elections is increasingly plausible, Söder stated in a recent interview with “Der Spiegel”. He emphasized his willingness to engage in such a debate, framing it as a crucial duty to delineate policy differences and actively defend democratic principles.
Söder’s commentary arrives amid heightened political tensions, fueled by the AfD’s growing influence and increasingly bold ambitions. He issued a stark warning to the conservative CDU/CSU alliance regarding speculative discussions surrounding a potential minority government at the federal level. He cautioned that any arrangement relying on AfD support – even intermittent support – carries an inherent risk of empowering a party with radical ideologies, potentially leading to the erosion of conservative values and ultimately, the displacement of the established political order. “They don’t want to help us; they want to destroy us and take our place” Söder asserted emphatically, rejecting any possibility of the CSU facilitating the AfD’s political agenda.
The Bavarian leader also voiced strong support for CDU leader Friedrich Merz, dismissing criticism directed at the Chancellor candidate. Söder highlighted Merz’s ability to unite the conservative bloc, arguing that no other individual commands the same level of support, particularly within the CSU. He specifically noted Merz’s frequently undervalued strength in foreign policy, lamenting the tendency to scrutinize and disparage his statements.
Meanwhile, Söder is poised to seek re-election as CSU chairman at the party conference in Munich this Friday, aiming to replicate his overwhelming victory – securing 96.6% of the votes – from September 2023. The reaffirmation of his leadership will be viewed as a significant indicator of the CSU’s trajectory and its strategy for confronting the rising political polarization currently defining German politics. The challenge for Söder and the conservative alliance will be to maintain voter confidence while navigating the increasingly complex dynamics of a fragmented political landscape.