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Merz Reaffirms “Firewall” Against AfD at CSU Conference
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Merz Restates Opposition to Working with the Far-Right
At a recent CSU party conference in Munich, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated his refusal to alter the “firewall” policy that isolates the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
Background: The “Firewall” Policy and Party Strategy
The “firewall” is an informal agreement among mainstream parties to exclude the AfD from coalition talks and parliamentary cooperation. Since its adoption, the policy has been a cornerstone of the CDU/CSU’s effort to contain the far-right’s influence while maintaining a broad centre-right coalition. Merz’s reaffirmation signals continuity in this strategy despite rising AfD poll numbers.
Poll Snapshot: AfD Leads While Merz’s Bloc Narrows Gap
A poll commissioned by public broadcaster ZDF asked respondents which party they would support in a hypothetical federal election. The AfD topped the survey, while Merz’s conservative bloc closed the gap with the far-right. Nevertheless, the poll indicated that Merz’s bloc would still fall short of a majority if an election were held today.
Official Statements & Responses
Merz’s remarks at the conference framed the “firewall” as a safeguard for democratic values, emphasizing that cooperation with the AfD would undermine the Union’s cohesion. No alternative proposals to modify the policy were presented by other party leaders in the same forum.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Anyone who feels they have to vote for these people has no place in our Union. They have no place amongst ?us,” — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz