Markus Söder, the Minister-President of Bavaria and leader of the CSU, has issued a stark warning to his fellow conservative politicians against entertaining the prospect of a minority government following the fragility of the current coalition. In an interview with “Focus” magazine, Söder characterized discussions surrounding such an arrangement as thinly veiled proposals for an informal and ultimately untenable, partnership with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
“Those who speak of a minority government are essentially advocating for an unofficial cohabitation with the AfD-a scenario of ‘the respectable Union governs and the troublesome AfD provides the majority'” Söder stated. He deemed the concept “pure fantasy” adding a cautionary note that such a power dynamic would fundamentally underestimate the ambition and political resolve of the AfD’s most radical elements.
Söder emphasized the paramount importance of reaching a consensus on critical issues, specifically pension reform, arguing that a coalition failure would inadvertently pave the way for extremist forces to gain influence. He dismissed alternative governance models as “flights of fancy” and highlighted the unprecedented level of challenge posed to the coalition from “anti-democratic actors.
The CSU leader underscored that the current situation demands an unusually high degree of cooperation and commitment. He asserted that the coalition’s success is now essential not just for political stability, but as a bulwark against those seeking to undermine democratic principles, a pressure he believes is significantly greater than experienced in previous parliamentary periods. The warning signals a deepening concern within the CSU about the potential for political fragmentation and the inherent risks of accommodating the increasingly assertive AfD.
