Senior CDU figures are signaling a willingness to accept personal sacrifices, even resignation, should the conservative party pursue a coalition with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), sparking internal debate and raising questions about the party’s future direction.
Dennis Radtke, chairman of the CDU’s labor union wing, explicitly endorsed the stance previously taken by North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul, who stated he would leave the party if a shift in policy towards the AfD occurred. Radtke’s comments to the Handelsblatt newspaper confirmed that such a scenario would represent a “red line” for him, mirroring the sentiments of numerous other CDU members.
Reul’s warning, delivered to the news portal T-Online, underscores a growing tension within the CDU regarding potential compromises with the AfD, particularly as the political landscape shifts and coalition options become increasingly complex. The comments highlight the deep ideological divides that already exist within the party.
However, Radtke simultaneously cautioned against the potential consequences of any collaboration. He delivered a stark warning, stating that “any form of cooperation would inevitably lead to the destruction of the CDU”. This suggests a recognition within the party’s establishment that aligning with the AfD, despite potential short-term gains, risks fundamentally eroding the CDU’s core principles and electoral support.
The public declarations from Reul and Radtke expose a significant vulnerability within the CDU as it navigates the increasingly fraught conversations surrounding potential coalition formations. While the party leadership has officially maintained distance from the AfD, these individual statements indicate a potential fracturing of loyalties and a willingness among key figures to prioritize ideological integrity over political expediency, even at personal cost. The situation throws into sharp relief the delicate balance the CDU must strike between maintaining power and preserving its identity.
