CDU Doubles down on AfD Firewall,seeks Government Unity After Berlin retreat
BERLIN – Following a closed-door meeting of the CDU Presidium,party leader Friedrich Merz affirmed the Christian Democratic Union’s firm stance against any form of cooperation wiht the far-right Option for Germany (AfD),while concurrently urging improved cohesion within the governing coalition. The declaration comes as the CDU prepares for a series of crucial state elections in 2026.
With state elections looming in Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Merz stated the CDU aims to become the strongest political force in each region. He identified the AfD as the party’s “main opponent,” signaling a strategic focus on countering the right-wing party’s growing influence. The move underscores the CDU’s commitment to maintaining a clear ideological boundary, even as internal pressures and coalition challenges mount.
According to Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, speaking on Deutschlandfunk, the AfD was only a marginal topic of discussion during the CDU’s internal deliberations. Kretschmer emphasized the need to shift the political focus from debating how to address the AfD to actively resolving the country’s pressing issues.
Beyond the AfD, Merz also addressed internal government dynamics, calling for enhanced cooperation between coalition partners and improved coordination between the federal government and CDU/CSU parliamentary groups in the Bundestag. He expressed concern over public disagreements that could undermine the government’s image and obscure its accomplishments.
The call for unity comes amid visible friction within the coalition. young members of the CDU/CSU are voicing opposition to the government’s pension plans, while the SPD parliamentary group has raised concerns about key aspects of the proposed military service law. Merz pledged to find resolutions to both issues.
