Following the AfD’s victory in Saxony-Anhalt, Minister-President Cem Özdemir of Baden-Württemberg (Greens) has called for democratic parties to undergo a fundamental political transformation. Speaking to Spiegel, Özdemir warned that if political parties fail to quickly demonstrate a radical change in both their policy content and their political style, they are effectively inviting the “landslide from Saxony-Anhalt” to happen in other regions. He emphasized that democracy now requires “Disruption.”
The Green politician did not wish to place sole blame on the current black/red federal government. Instead, he argued that the coalition government he was part of also shares responsibility. Özdemir noted that many citizens feel they cannot turn to established parties if they hold concerns or anxieties regarding migration policy, security issues, or economic transformation.
He criticized representatives from the Greens and the Left for sometimes avoiding topics that the AfD raises in public debate, stating firmly that this approach will not win back a single AfD voter.
Furthermore, while supporting a ban on the “nationalist” state associations of the AfD, Özdemir stressed that such an action must be paired with a genuine engagement with the party’s voters. In his view, outlawing the extremist component of the AfD and simultaneously offering something meaningful to its electorate must happen in tandem.
