Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has delivered a sharp critique of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, describing it as “dehumanizing”. In an interview with ZDF Heute-Journal, Merkel attributed the party’s electoral success, particularly in eastern Germany, to a sense of lost social mobility in rural areas and increasing social isolation. She acknowledged that these feelings of disenfranchisement could contribute to voter sentiment, but stressed they do not justify supporting a party holding such views.
Merkel emphasized that a political party dividing the population into “elites” and defining who belongs to them fundamentally contradicts the German Basic Law, the nation’s constitution. She asserted that such divisions undermine the principles of inclusivity and equality enshrined in the document.
Shifting her focus to the upcoming “Unity Festival” in Saarbrücken, commemorating German Unity Day, Merkel expressed reservations regarding the selection of speakers. While praising French President Emmanuel Macron, she suggested that including a speaker from Eastern Europe or eastern Germany might have been a more appropriate choice, highlighting the significant contributions made by these regions to the achievement of German reunification.
