Merz Declares AfD “Main Opponent,” Prompting Reactions and Strategic Analysis
BERLIN – Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian democratic Union (CDU), has publicly designated the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as his party’s primary political adversary, a move triggering responses from within the AfD itself and sparking debate among political scientists. The declaration, made October 21, 2025, signals a hardening of the CDU’s stance against the right-wing populist party as Germany navigates a complex political landscape marked by overlapping and diverging policy positions.
The shift in rhetoric comes as the CDU/CSU and afd share some common ground on issues like immigration, while maintaining substantial disagreements on defense, pensions, Ukraine, and European Union policy-differences that, in some cases, are greater then those separating the Union and the Social Democratic Party (SPD). Merz’s move is being interpreted as a strategic attempt to clearly define the CDU’s ideological boundaries and counter accusations of policy convergence with the AfD, but also risks further polarizing the German political spectrum.
Leif-Erik Holm, chairman of the AfD in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, responded to Merz’s statement by suggesting it would ultimately fracture the CDU.Holm believes the party is internally divided between factions open to cooperation with the AfD and those opposed, predicting Merz’s continued hard line will exacerbate these tensions. “Therefore, mr. merz shoudl please continue like this,” Holm stated to Bild.
Political scientist Benjamin Höhne, a professor at the Technical University of Chemnitz specializing in the political right in Europe and the AfD, views Merz’s approach as a purposeful and effective strategy. Höhne told Bild that, based on international examples, collaborating with far-right parties does not lead to their weakening.He argues that a clear demarcation is the more prudent course.
Höhne’s research focuses on comparative European government systems and the dynamics of right-wing political movements. His expertise provides context to the potential consequences of Merz’s decision,suggesting it aligns with a broader trend of confronting,rather than accommodating,far-right political forces.
