A leading political scientist is urging the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its leader, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to reconsider a longstanding resolution barring cooperation with the Left Party (Die Linke) ahead of the 2026 state elections. Karl-Rudolf Korte, in remarks published by the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, characterized the current declaration as “anachronistic” arguing that its practical application has been significantly diluted within both federal and state parliamentary settings.
Korte suggested that a revision of the wording of the Unvereinbarkeitserklärung at the CDU’s February federal party conference would be a strategically advantageous move, advocating for a more nuanced and appropriate formulation. He pointed to the Left Party’s recent demonstrated capability of responsible governance, signaling a shifting political landscape that merits a reassessment of rigid ideological boundaries.
While emphasizing the continued necessity of maintaining a firm firewall against the Alternative for Germany (AfD), particularly to safeguard Germany’s democratic constitution, Korte cautioned against undue alarm regarding the AfD’s current polling strength in states like Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. He believes that sufficient room remains for a mobilization of centrist voters to prevent the party from gaining power.
“One shouldn’t fear the AfD” Korte stressed, instead urging a critical self-reflection within the established political parties. He warned that inaction by the centrist parties risks inadvertently paving the way for an AfD-led government. He concluded that a renewed focus on European values and democratic principles is crucial for the established parties to regain momentum and offer a compelling alternative – a “party that everyone wants”. The onus, he argues, is on them to provide this vision.