The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) General Secretary Carsten Linnemann has expressed disapproval of the disruption that occurred during the recent ARD “Summer Interview” featuring AfD leader Alice Weidel. In remarks to RTL and ntv, Linnemann suggested that actions like the protests risk unintentionally strengthening the AfD’s position.
He urged against ignoring or dismissing the party’s electorate, stressing the importance of engaging with the AfD through substantive debate rather than resorting to disruptive tactics. Linnemann accused Weidel of exploiting negative news and economic hardship for political gain, alleging a disregard for the country’s wellbeing. However, he regretted that the protests overshadowed the interview itself, deeming such demonstrations counterproductive to democratic discourse and emphasizing the value of reasoned arguments.
Addressing the recent SPD decision to explore a potential party ban, Linnemann cautioned against such measures, highlighting the significant support the AfD currently commands. He argued that pursuing a ban would be “not a productive path” and would detract from the necessary focus on developing effective policies to address the concerns of voters. The CDU official asserted that the party possesses the strongest arguments to counter the AfD’s narrative, citing Weidel’s perceived inability to articulate positive aspects of Germany’s current situation during the interview. Linnemann concluded that the AfD’s actions are detrimental to the country’s prosperity.
