Despite his sharp criticism of the AfD, the former Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff (CDU), rejects calls for a legal ban on the party. Nevertheless, following the local election results, he publicly endorses Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressing confidence that Merz will embark on a political course correction, according to “Welt am Sonntag.”
Haseloff views the prospect of banning the AfD as unrealistic and politically problematic. While he firmly believes that classifying the AfD as securely right-wing extremist is correct, he argues this classification does not automatically mean that a ban procedure at the Federal Constitutional Court will succeed or be politically sensible. Given that the party secured 43.8 percent of the vote, he noted that one cannot simply aim to eliminate a party electorally when the voters and their underlying concerns persist.
Simultaneously, Haseloff offered support to the Federal Chancellor. He conceded that Merz had experienced socio-political changes from a peripheral viewpoint for a considerable time, and that the opportunities for political action sometimes differed from those during the election campaign. However, Haseloff generally describes the chancellor as intelligent and experienced. For instance, he pointed out that Merz had promised during the campaign that the combustion engine ban would be reversed, pending a full assessment of the lengthy process decided in Brussels.
Haseloff is also convinced that Merz will draw meaningful conclusions from the election outcome. When asked if the chancellor still has the capacity to change, he replied affirmatively. He noted that Merz is ambitious and has spent many years fighting for a political role. Consequently, Haseloff anticipates a noticeable evolution, stating, “I believe that after this election, Merz will start a new chapter, both substantively and in terms of empathy. I am sure of that.” Haseloff is now demanding that the federal government deliver fast, noticeable results, particularly reaching those people who voted for the AfD out of frustration over specific hardships. He stressed that the public must feel the government has truly listened.
