Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s recent remarks regarding the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) have ignited a firestorm of political debate, prompting accusations of backtracking and raising questions about the CDU’s strategy for confronting the surging populist party. In an appearance on the ARD program “Arena” on Monday evening, Merz effectively retracted his earlier pledge – made during his time as an opposition figure – to “halve” the AfD’s electoral support.
The shift in tone marks a significant departure from the rhetoric employed during the search for a new CDU leader in 2018, when Merkel was still in office and navigating a fragile coalition government with the SPD. Back then, Merz frequently voiced his ambition to drastically reduce the AfD’s share of the vote, a stance projected as a direct challenge to the party’s growing influence.
The AfD’s polling numbers have risen dramatically since 2018, now fluctuating between 24 and 27 percent, reflecting a profound reshaping of the German political landscape. While Merz acknowledged he anticipated being questioned about the earlier pledge, his explanation – attributing the promise to a period when the CDU was making “incorrect decisions, including in refugee policy” – has drawn sharp criticism.
Political analysts suggest the retraction signals a move toward a more conciliatory approach, potentially aimed at strategically distancing the CDU from confrontational tactics that could inadvertently lend legitimacy to the AfD. However, the move risks alienating moderate CDU voters who viewed the initial pledge as a demonstration of the party’s commitment to combating extremism.
The subtle shift also sparks a crucial question: Does the CDU believe it is now politically impossible, or strategically unwise, to actively challenge the AfD’s gains? The explanation offered by Merz, framing past decisions as the root of the problem, suggests a potentially risky attempt to reframe the narrative around the AfD’s appeal, implying that policy corrections alone can appease the party’s supporters. Critics argue that this approach fundamentally misunderstands the complex ideological and societal factors driving the AfD’s rise, potentially leaving the CDU vulnerable to further electoral losses while failing to address the underlying issues fueling the party’s popularity.
