In a heated election debate on Sunday evening, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), reaffirmed his commitment to not forming a coalition with the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD). This declaration came as he faced off against Chancellor Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD), signaling that German voters may continue to experience governance from traditional establishment parties.
Merz’s stance follows a controversial moment in the Bundestag last month, where he collaborated with the AfD on a non-binding vote concerning migration policies. This marked a significant shift, as it was the first time since the AfD’s inception in 2013 that an initiative received backing from the party, which had previously been isolated by a "firewall" established by mainstream political factions.
During the debate, Scholz accused Merz of violating his principles and breaking political taboos by working with the AfD. The chancellor expressed concern that after the upcoming elections on February 23, Merz might abandon his promise and seek a coalition with the far-right party. In response, Merz insisted that the CDU and AfD are fundamentally different on key issues.
Despite their public denouncements of cooperation, the CDU and AfD share similar views on economic policy and migration, both advocating for stricter border controls and the removal of undocumented immigrants. Merz criticized Scholz for allowing a significant influx of undocumented migrants during his tenure, while Scholz dismissed Merz’s proposals as impractical.
The AfD, led by Alice Weidel, has faced accusations of extremism, yet it maintains that its platform focuses on removing individuals without legal residency, not targeting those with citizenship. As the AfD gains traction in public opinion, currently polling around 20%, Merz is reportedly looking to align with the SPD to enact migration restrictions, believing that the leftist party will recognize the necessity of such measures to counter the AfD’s rising influence.
Public sentiment appears divided, with a recent survey indicating that 50% of respondents expect Merz to form a coalition with a leftist party rather than with the AfD. In contrast, 43% anticipate a partnership with the populist faction. The prospect of a right-wing coalition has sparked substantial protests across Germany, including a significant demonstration in Munich that drew over 200,000 participants.
Reports suggest that many of the protests may be funded by the current left-wing government, raising questions about the authenticity of the opposition to a potential right-wing coalition. As the election approaches, the political landscape in Germany remains charged, with the future direction of governance at stake.