Merz Admits Policy Shift, Insists on AfD Exclusion in Post-Election Governance
Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor candidate for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has acknowledged a reversal in his stance towards the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in recent Bundestag (German Parliament) votes.
Deviation from Coalition Agreement
Merz had initially pledged to only support parliamentary decisions jointly agreed upon by the incumbent Ampel (traffic light) coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Free Democrats (FDP), thereby precluding any possibility of the AfD influencing outcomes.
However, in a departure from this commitment, the CDU/CSU parliamentary group supported a motion proposed by Merz in January calling for stricter immigration policies, with the sole support of the AfD. This move triggered widespread criticism, including from former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Justification and Conditions
Explaining his change of heart, Merz cited recent terrorist attacks in Germany. He specifically mentioned the December incident in Magdeburg, where a Saudi Arabian man killed six people and injured nearly 300 with a vehicle at a Christmas market, and the Aschaffenburg stabbing in the previous week, where a 28-year-old Afghan man allegedly murdered a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man.
Despite these events, Merz reiterates his pledge that "there will be no cooperation with the AfD, either with us or with me."
Post-Election Demands and Warnings
Looking ahead to the upcoming Bundestag election, Merz set conditions for any future government formation involving the CDU/CSU. "We will not enter a government with anyone who is not prepared to make substantial changes to Germany’s migration policy," he declared.
He believes a fundamental shift in both migration and economic policies is necessary, expressing concern that "if we do not achieve this, the populists will triumph in Germany in 2029."
Protests and Election Prospects
In the lead-up to the election, protests erupted near the site of Merz’s Potsdam campaign event. Demonstrators gathered under the banner "Defending the Right to Asylum" to voice their opposition to "right-wing agitation and inhumane politics."
Despite the recent controversies, the CDU/CSU remains the frontrunner in the polls, with support ranging between 27% and 30%.
