The internal debate within the CDU regarding the “firewall”-the incompatibility decree preventing cooperation with certain parties-is intensifying ahead of this Sunday’s meeting of the party leadership.
Florian Oest, a CDU Member of the Bundestag from Saxony, told “Welt am Sonntag” that the “rigid incompatibility decisions are not moving us forward.” He emphasized that the Union’s foundational principles-the Christian understanding of humanity, the social market economy, and the responsibility to protect the vulnerable-must serve as its guideposts. Oest added that those who hold this internal compass do not need to look to other parties for direction.
Guido Heuer, a CDU member of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt and former parliamentary group leader, offered a more pragmatic viewpoint. He stated that by implementing the firewall, the CDU has effectively walled itself in, suggesting, “but the fire continues to burn behind it.” Heuer advocates for defining concrete “red lines” instead, focusing the discussion on actual policy content. While he considers coalitions with the AfD or Die Linke impossible, he suggested that if the CDU puts forward a proposal that genuinely benefits people, it would be permissible even if the AfD and Linke agreed.
However, this approach is being strongly rejected by the leadership of the Union parliamentary group. Vice chairman Günter Krings refused to support any softening of the existing policy. Krings dismissed the notion that the AfD would be unable to achieve success without the CDU’s incompatibility decree, arguing that people do not vote for the AfD solely because of the CDU’s refusal to collaborate, but rather because they are disappointed with current political policies.
On Sunday, the CDU Presidential Committee will hold an extraordinary closed-door session in Berlin. Polling reports and forecasts are expected to be presented, and Altbundespräsident Joachim Gauck is scheduled to join the discussions in the evening. In preparation for the session, draft proposals detailing the implementation of announced reforms and solutions to pressing issues are being prepared for the leadership’s decision.
Among the agenda items is providing relief to citizens facing general price increases. The CDU insists on achieving tangible results. Boris Rhein, the Minister-President of Hessia, warned “Welt am Sonntag” that the Union must address all topics critical to ordinary people, such as costs of living, security, migration, and employment. He stressed that the Union must discuss these issues within the democratic center and should not prevent the debate, otherwise, the conversation will inevitably drift to the extreme fringes.
