The leading parliamentary manager of the SPD parliamentary group, Dirk Wiese, has strongly endorsed North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul’s rejection of any cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In remarks to “Handelsblatt”, Wiese emphasized that Reul’s stance clearly articulated a position shared across the Social Democratic spectrum: collaboration with a definitively right-wing extremist AfD must be categorically ruled out.
Wiese characterized the AfD not as a conventional political opponent, but as an entity whose objectives fundamentally challenge core societal values. He specifically cited the party’s perceived undermining of social cohesion, the devaluation of democracy as a historical achievement and the erosion of European unity-elements Wiese deems crucial for Germany’s economic stability in the face of global challenges posed by figures like Donald Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
The SPD politician further accused AfD politicians of prioritizing foreign agendas over both German and European interests, alleging that their policies are “dictated by foreign states”. He suggested the party’s motivations are rooted in a pursuit of power and a deliberate degradation of democratic institutions.
Despite the increasing polarization of German politics, Wiese expressed confidence that this assessment extends beyond the SPD, suggesting a substantial majority within the CDU and CSU parties likely holds similar views. The comment highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the AfD’s place within the German political landscape and the persistent efforts by established parties to maintain a clear distance from the increasingly influential far-right movement. It also signals a continuing political tension, with the SPD actively attempting to solidify a position of mainstream opposition to the AfD’s policies and rhetoric.