Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has issued a strong warning about the potential international consequences should the Alternative for Germany (AfD) rise. Speaking to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, the CDU politician stated that the AfD is already isolated within the circle of right-wing populist parties in Europe, suggesting that no one wishes to associate with the party, particularly since Viktor Orbán was voted out of office in Hungary. Wadephul argued that this AfD, with its stance toward Russia, would also lead to Germany’s isolation within Europe.
When asked whether Germany appeared weaker in foreign policy following the recent state election, he clarified that the results were specific to one federal state. However, he emphasized that “as an elected representative, I clearly state: if something like this happened across all of Germany, then we would be weaker.”
Regarding a motion adopted by the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt-which included votes from the AfD and BSW and calls for the federal government to end weapons deliveries to Ukraine-Wadephul dismissed it as superficial, stating that “nothing comes of it.” He added that the position is already known and that he had received no new arguments.
Furthermore, Wadephul pointed out that the Basic Law applies in Germany, and according to it, the federal government is responsible for foreign relations. He criticized the motion, arguing that it was fundamentally wrong, detrimental to German interests, and also against European interests, requiring a clear and forceful pushback.
