Key facts
- Michael Kretschmer, premier of Saxony and an ally of Friedrich Merz, has called for cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
- Kretschmer stated that the concept of 'firewalls' against the AfD is outdated.
- Friedrich Merz maintains a strict policy against cooperating with the AfD, citing historical responsibilities.
- The AfD is leading in polls for upcoming state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is close to securing an outright majority, which could lead to its first regional government.
- If the AfD does not win a majority, Merz's Christian Democrats might need to form a coalition with the Left Party.
Michael Kretschmer, a prominent ally of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, has publicly challenged the party's long-standing policy of refusing cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Kretschmer, who is the premier of the eastern state of Saxony, suggested that dialogue with the AfD is necessary, especially ahead of crucial state elections in September where the AfD is polling strongly.
Merz, however, has maintained a firm stance against any cooperation with the AfD, citing Germany's historical responsibility stemming from the Nazi era. He insists that the goal should be to create an environment where the far-right can be defeated electorally. National polls show the AfD currently leading the CDU in popularity.
The political dynamics in eastern Germany, a traditional stronghold for the AfD, are creating pressure for a rethink. In Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD is polling at 41 percent and is within reach of an outright majority, which would mark its first time leading a regional government. If the AfD falls short of an absolute majority, the CDU might face the difficult choice of cooperating with the Left Party to prevent the AfD from taking power, a scenario also complicated by existing party resolutions.
Kretschmer's comments are interpreted as an effort to open a debate on how to govern effectively after the elections without breaking pre-election promises and damaging the CDU's credibility. However, these remarks have drawn criticism from within his own party, with some leaders urging focus on the upcoming elections rather than internal debates. The center-left Social Democrats have called for clarity from the CDU regarding potential cooperation at regional levels.