Merz’s CDU Faces Dilemma on Handling Rising AfD Threat

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz convened his conservative party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), for a two-day meeting on Sunday to discuss the party’s strategy regarding the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as the nation prepares for five regional elections in 2024. This internal gathering follows growing calls from influential former CDU politicians advocating for a reassessment of the party’s strict stance against collaborating with the AfD, which has recently gained traction in public opinion polls.

Merz has firmly dismissed any proposals to soften the CDU’s “firewall” against the AfD, branding the latter as the “main opponent” of his conservative coalition in the upcoming electoral campaigns. He highlighted his commitment to defeating the party politically rather than through potential alliances. Carsten Linnemann, the CDU Secretary General, is expected to provide insights from this crucial meeting during a press conference on Monday.

Nationwide polls indicate that the AfD has either matched or outperformed the conservative alliance between the CDU and its Bavarian counterpart, the Christian Social Union (CSU). In the eastern states of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AfD stands as the leading party with approximately 40% support ahead of upcoming regional parliamentary elections.

In a related development, the coalition partners in the Social Democratic Party (SPD) have proposed examining a constitutional ban on the AfD. In contrast, Merz believes the solution lies in offering voters a compelling alternative to dissuade them from considering the far-right party at the polls. “We have to make voters in Germany a good offer so that they don’t even think about voting for this party again at the next election,” he stated on Saturday.

The discussions held on Sunday prompted a strong reaction from the International Auschwitz Committee, which expressed outrage at the prospect of any cooperation with the AfD. Eva Umlauf, head of the committee, criticized the idea, stating, “It is beyond my understanding and my acceptance that cooperation with parties that are close to that repulsive and deadly ideology that once took my family, Germany and Europe into the abyss is seen as possible within democratic parties.”

Christoph Heubner, executive vice president of the committee, acknowledged and thanked those in Germany who actively work against extreme right-wing parties, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the political firewall through their efforts and voting behavior in the name of Holocaust survivors.

As the CDU navigates this challenging political landscape, the outcome of their discussions may significantly shape the party’s direction and influence voter sentiment in the approaching elections.