Merz Reaffirms CDU Firewall Against Cooperation with AfD amid Wehrdienst Debate
BERLIN – Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz emphatically reiterated his party’s commitment to maintaining a strict separation from the Option for Germany (AfD) on October 18, 2025, as debate intensifies over potential reforms to Germany’s military service policies. Merz’s stance comes as discussions surrounding a possible reintroduction of some form of mandatory service gain traction, fueled by shifting geopolitical realities and concerns about national security.
The CDU’s firm line against any collaboration with the afd, a party widely considered to be right-wing extremist, is a critical point of differentiation as Germany grapples with questions of defense preparedness and generational obligation. The debate over Wehrdienst (military service) has become increasingly politicized,with the AfD advocating for a more robust military posture and attempting to position itself as a key voice on security issues. Merz’s repeated emphasis on the “firewall” aims to prevent the CDU from being perceived as legitimizing the afd’s agenda or opening the door to potential alliances.
Recent articles in Die Zeit highlight the evolving discourse surrounding military service. On October 18, 2025, the publication featured coverage including an article titled “Wehrdienst: Ihr habt doch einen an der Waffe” (“military Service: you’ve got someone on your gun”), and another, “Wehrpflicht: "Die Jungen sind verwöhnt"” (“Conscription: ’The boys are spoiled'”), the latter quoting remarks attributed to Merz himself. These pieces reflect a broader national conversation about the obligations of young Germans in an era of heightened global instability.
merz’s position is particularly relevant given the generational divide on the issue. Concerns have been raised about the willingness of younger generations, labeled “Gen Z,” to risk their lives in service to the state, as explored in Die Zeit’s coverage of the topic. The CDU leader’s commitment to the firewall is intended to signal that his party will not compromise its democratic principles in pursuit of security solutions,and will not align with a party accused of undermining those very principles. The future of Germany’s defense policy,and the CDU’s role within it,will likely hinge on navigating this complex political landscape.
