The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has firmly rejected internal calls for a softening of its stance towards the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, with parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn asserting the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, will maintain their role as a crucial ideological barrier. In an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”, Spahn unequivocally dismissed any possibility of engagement, characterizing the AfD’s rhetoric and political aims as fundamentally incompatible with the CDU’s values.
“We are the firewall, the CDU and CSU” Spahn stated, emphasizing the union’s commitment to “decency in political discourse and against anti-Semitism and hatred”-qualities he asserted the AfD demonstrably lacks. He reiterated his previous designation of the AfD as a “Putin party” accusing the party of harboring a desire for a weakened Germany and exploiting security concerns for political gain.
Spahn specifically targeted the AfD’s ambiguous position on mandatory military service, suggesting their hesitation stems from a reluctance to allow Germany to effectively defend itself against potential threats, implicitly referencing Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. He portrayed the party’s stance as detrimental to German national security.
The rejection came in response to remarks by former CDU General Secretary Peter Tauber, who had recently suggested a reassessment of the party’s relationship with the AfD. Spahn was dismissive of Tauber’s views, dismissing them as entirely inconsequential to the CDU’s established policy. This latest statement underscores the continued internal pressure regarding engagement with the far-right and reaffirms the CDU’s commitment to maintaining a clear ideological separation, despite ongoing debates about the strategic implications of such a stance within the broader German political landscape. The CDU’s rigid position, while seemingly straightforward, raises questions about its long-term viability in a fragmented political climate and its ability to effectively address the concerns of voters drawn to the AfD’s message.
