Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria, has indicated a willingness to participate in a televised debate against a candidate from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, contingent on the AfD’s polling performance leading up to the next state election in 2028.
Speaking to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Söder emphasized the importance of engaging in dialogue with the AfD to clarify fundamental differences. He characterized the party as a threat to democratic values, security and prosperity, stressing the necessity of openly addressing this view.
Söder drew a comparison to the recent election in Thuringia, where the CDU candidate, Mario Voigt, participated in a televised debate with the AfD’s Björn Höcke prior to the 2024 state election. He attributed Voigt’s “successful” performance as a contributing factor in the CDU’s victory and Voigt’s subsequent appointment as Minister-President. Söder underscored the challenges posed by the AfD’s current standing.
Regarding a recent interview conducted with the online platform Nius, Söder defended his decision to engage with the outlet, explaining that reaching out to voters requires direct interaction and clear articulation of his positions. He suggested that actively participating in the marketplace of ideas is crucial for success. He stated his current focus is on regaining voter confidence and highlighted the possibility that the AfD could become the second strongest party in Bavaria.
