Mario

Thuringia’s Prime⁢ minister⁤ Mario Voigt is urging the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to shift ⁣its focus‍ away from ⁢the Option for ⁢Germany (AfD), arguing that constant discussion surrounding⁢ the far-right ⁣party is detrimental to the CDU’s ⁢own political positioning. Voigt’s‌ comments come amid internal ⁤debate within the ​CDU regarding strategy ahead of key state elections‍ next year.

The CDU currently holds significant power across Germany, providing the Chancellor, ⁤eight state governors, ​a third of city mayors, and‌ two-thirds of district administrators, according⁤ to Voigt.⁢ He believes the party ‍should confidently assert its role⁤ as the leading ⁤force in the country, rather than continually​ reacting to the AfD’s political maneuvers. This debate unfolds as the AfD ‌gains ⁢traction in opinion polls, ⁤prompting ​discussions on how‍ best to ​counter ‍its influence.

Voigt dismissed the concept‍ of a “firewall” against ​the ‌AfD, labeling⁢ it “unsuitable,” ​”fear-driven,” and “passive.” He stated, “This constant⁢ circling around the​ AfD as a reference point is destroying ​us.” He called for “a positive basic sound across the country again,”‌ contrasting it with what he‍ described as the AfD’s “foul ⁣mood.”

The CDU leadership recently convened a closed-door meeting two weeks ago to address the AfD challenge. During the meeting, CDU leader⁣ Friedrich Merz committed the party to directly confronting the AfD in anticipation of the ​upcoming state elections. Merz acknowledged the‍ AfD is​ highly‌ likely to be their ⁤”main opponent” and ⁢reaffirmed⁤ the CDU’s refusal to ‍cooperate with the party, citing a formal incompatibility resolution. He also‌ warned that the ‌AfD “declaredly wants ‌to⁢ destroy” the ⁣CDU.