A former heavyweight of German politics has launched a blistering critique of rising CDU star Jens Spahn, signaling deepening internal fissures within the conservative bloc. Volker Bouffier, who served as Prime Minister of Hesse until 2022 and previously held a deputy leadership role within the CDU, expressed his disappointment with Spahn’s leadership and communication style in an interview with “Die Zeit” magazine.
Bouffier’s criticism centers on what he describes as a breakdown in internal coordination within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, particularly highlighting a lack of transparency and engagement preceding the recent controversial pension reform vote. He bluntly stated, “The parliamentary group leadership of the CDU is not good” suggesting a need for significant restructuring and a renewed focus on fostering consensus. This represents a particularly stinging rebuke, given Bouffier’s long-standing presence and seniority within the party.
Beyond his direct assessment of Spahn’s performance, Bouffier issued a firm warning against any attempts by the CDU to soften its stance towards the far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD). He emphatically rejected any notion of collaboration, labeling such an alliance as “fundamentally wrong”. “We have absolutely nothing to do with them, nothing at all” he asserted. Bouffier cautioned against the potential consequences of experimenting with even limited cooperation, stating that it would expose Germany to a trajectory he deemed deeply damaging. This declaration underscores a growing debate within the CDU regarding the party’s future positioning and the potential for electoral gains through appealing to AfD voters – a strategy increasingly championed by some conservative figures, despite persistent warnings about the risks to the political mainstream.
The public nature of Bouffier’s critique raises questions about the stability of the CDU’s internal power dynamics and reveals a potential ideological rift within the party as it grapples with navigating a complex political landscape increasingly shaped by the AfD’s influence.