A leading figure within the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group has voiced concerns regarding potential legal repercussions should the Alternative for Germany (AfD) gain power.
Jens Spahn, Chairman of the CDU/CSU group in the German Bundestag, expressed this apprehension in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (FAS), stating that he believes he would be among the first individuals targeted by an AfD-led justice system. He attributed this belief to ongoing criticism and accusations-including the term “murderer”-stemming from decisions he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spahn urged left-leaning parties within the Bundestag to bolster their support for the CDU/CSU in the political struggle against the AfD. He emphasized that significant portions of the AfD, particularly its leading figures, are actively seeking to dismantle the CDU/CSU, asserting that the Union serves as a crucial barrier against nationalist and right-wing extremism. He cautioned against the fate of center-right parties in countries like France and the Netherlands, where their fragmentation has arguably strengthened extremist factions.
Simultaneously, Spahn defended his stance on affording the AfD the same rights and privileges within parliamentary operations as other parliamentary groups. He argued against marginalizing the AfD through unequal treatment regarding organizational matters, suggesting that doing so would be counterproductive. Currently, the AfD does not hold any leadership positions, such as a Vice President or committee chairperson, within the Bundestag, as they have yet to secure the necessary majorities.