The debate within Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) regarding its relationship with the right-wing AfD party has intensified, with Thuringia’s Minister-President Mario Voigt publicly urging a shift in strategy. Voigt, also a member of the CDU’s executive committee, told “Bild am Sonntag” that the party needs to adopt a posture of greater self-assurance and move beyond a solely defensive approach to the AfD.
This call comes after a recent CDU leadership retreat where Chancellor and CDU Chairman Friedrich Merz cautioned that the AfD’s stated goal is to dismantle the CDU. Merz’s warning highlighted the precarious position the CDU finds itself in, caught between acknowledging a political competitor and safeguarding its own ideological foundation.
Voigt’s criticism directly challenges the prevailing narrative within the CDU, which has largely relied on building a symbolic “firewall” against the AfD. He dismissed the term “firewall” as “fear-driven” and “passive” arguing that its constant invocation inadvertently grants the AfD undue prominence in the political discourse. “This permanent circling around the AfD as a reference point is what’s breaking us” Voigt stated bluntly.
The Thuringian leader’s remarks represent a more assertive tone, emphasizing the CDU’s claimed position as Europe’s strongest industrial nation and criticizing an internal atmosphere of negativity. Voigt contends that the party must actively define its own agenda and project confidence, rather than allowing the AfD’s agenda to dictate the conversation.
However, Voigt’s call for a different approach exposes a deeper strategic dilemma within the CDU. While asserting dominance may appeal to some within the party, critics argue such a stance risks further polarizing the political landscape and could potentially alienate moderate voters. The question remains whether Voigt’s advocated shift – one that prioritizes projecting strength and defining the CDU’s own course – can effectively counter the AfD’s influence without inadvertently reinforcing its narrative. The ongoing debate underscores the CDU’s struggle to navigate a complex and increasingly fragmented political terrain.
