The internal debate within Germany’s center-right Union bloc regarding engagement with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) is generating significant concern, with security experts warning of potentially disastrous consequences. Professor Peter R. Neumann, a leading extremism expert and Professor of Security Studies at King’s College London, voiced his apprehension in a recent interview, drawing parallels to the fates of similar parties across Europe.
Neumann cautioned that the historical record demonstrates a consistent pattern of failure for center-right parties who attempt to either cooperate or integrate with right-wing populist forces. He cited the decline of Forza Italia in Italy, now hovering around a mere seven to eight percent and the diminished standing of French Republicans, currently polling at ten percent, as stark examples. These parties, he argues, have inadvertently provided a platform for the very forces they claim to moderate, ultimately suffering electoral erosion.
The professor’s warning extends beyond electoral concerns. He emphasized the potential for deep internal divisions within the Union itself, stating that any attempt to engage with the AfD could fracture the party, potentially even leading to its dissolution. Neumann’s assessment underscores the fragility of the current political alignment and suggests that the perceived gains from a partnership with the AfD are illusory.
Drawing a chilling historical analogy, Neumann likened the current strategy to the actions of Franz von Papen in 1932/33, who believed he could control Adolf Hitler’s rise. The professor conceded that the AfD is not directly comparable to the Nazi party, but nonetheless cautioned against the belief that cooperation can contain or manage the far-right movement. He suggested the outcome would likely be a repeat of history, with limited short-term gains but profound and lasting damage to the broader political landscape. The specter of repeating past mistakes looms large as the Union navigates this increasingly fraught political dilemma.