German conservatives, including CDU leader Friedrich Merz and CSU leader Markus Söder, have vowed to form a “firewall” against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The two leaders told supporters that an election win on February 23 would prove the best way to contain the AfD’s rise.
In contrast, thousands of protesters in cities across Germany gathered to express their opposition to the CDU/CSU bloc’s recent failed attempt to alter German migration laws with AfD support. The protests were sparked by a failure to pass legislation that was seen as key to curbing the AfD’s influence.
Merz and Söder both stated that they would not cooperate or ally with the AfD in any way, with Merz saying it would be “betraying the soul of the CDU.” The far-right AfD currently holds around 20% support in national polls, with Söder suggesting a conservative-led government could bring their levels of support back down.
Meanwhile, protests called by a group translating to “Grannies against the right” (Omas gegen Rechts) have taken place across Germany, with thousands gathering in cities like Munster and Munich. The protests are part of a growing trend, which has been fueled by Merz’s comments on AfD cooperation.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed distrust towards CDU leader Friedrich Merz over his stance on AfD cooperation, saying that it is “depressing” to no longer be able to rely on the conservatives’ commitment to shunning the far-right party.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/german-conservatives-insist-theyre-the-anti-afd-firewall/a-71548314