Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued a stark warning against any potential collaboration with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, particularly as Germany approaches next year’s federal elections. Speaking after a closed-door meeting of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leadership in Berlin, Merz characterized the AfD as likely being the “main adversary” especially in eastern Germany, asserting that the party’s stated aim is the deliberate dismantling of the CDU.
Merz emphasized that the division between the two parties extends far beyond superficial disagreements, representing a fundamental clash of political ideologies and core beliefs. He accused the AfD of not merely questioning policies enacted over the past decade, but of challenging the foundational decisions underpinning the Federal Republic of Germany since its inception in 1949. “The hand they present is not an olive branch, but one aimed at our destruction” Merz stated, sharply condemning the AfD’s repeated overtures for cooperation.
The CDU leader announced a strategy of explicitly and definitively outlining the AfD’s positions, promising a forceful and unambiguous demarcation between the two parties. Crucially, he argued that demonstrating the efficacy of stable, responsible governance is paramount in countering the AfD’s appeal. While acknowledging that this responsibility falls primarily on the CDU, Merz also urged the Social Democrats (SPD) to actively participate in this effort. He posited that a successful, collaborative government could ultimately render the AfD politically irrelevant, effectively rebutting the party’s narrative of disillusionment with the status quo through tangible, positive results. This appeal to the SPD signals an attempt to forge a unified front against the rising tide of right-wing populism, although success hinges on the willingness of both parties to prioritize national stability over partisan political gains.