Following criticism from former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) regarding the term “firewall,” new Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) has offered support. Bilger told the Funke Media Group newspapers (Thursday editions) that the term “firewall” risked alienating voters who are drawn to the AfD for various reasons. He stressed that the critical aspect is not the specific phrase, but rather the CDU’s clear and uncompromising separation from the AfD.
This debate is rooted in the Union’s discussion concerning how to handle the AfD after its significant electoral success in the Saxony-Anhalt state election. Merkel had surprisingly distanced herself from the term “firewall,” stating in Cologne, “I didn’t invent it, and I don’t like it that way.” While this stance was not universally convincing, the former Chancellor did advocate for centering the political focus on the CDU’s own initiatives, making no demand for cooperation with the AfD.
Bilger echoes both Merkel’s critique of the term and their rejection of “firewall” while maintaining that the fundamental separation from the AfD must remain. “The term is not a CDU invention. However, what is crucial is not the formulation, but our clear demarcation from extremism. This must naturally continue to be the case,” he stated. He emphasized that while the CDU must maintain a firm stance, it must also endeavor to win back people who vote for widely considered far-right parties out of disappointment or dissatisfaction.
Bilger further cited what he views as fundamental differences between the Union and the AfD. Drawing on the Chancellor’s recent government statement, he noted, “There are large and fundamental differences between us and the AfD, for instance regarding our stance on Russia, the European Union, and the Western community of values. These differences justify our firm separation.”
In addressing the broader political mandate, Bilger pointed out that the electoral outcome must serve as an incentive for the federal government to tackle concrete problems. “It remains that we must do our job, address the problems in the country, and solve them. Germany needs more confidence, prosperity, and security. As Transport Minister, I wish to contribute to that,” he added. He specifically highlighted transport policy as a key area for recovery: “In transport policy, people too often experience what is not working, and they are rightly angry about it. If we address these problems and achieve concrete improvements, we can restore trust.”
