Merz comments on potential CDU-AfD collaboration: "Such an alliance would essentially destroy the CDU"
CDU lead figure Merz recently visited East Germany to support his party's main contenders in the upcoming elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg. Subsequent to his trip, he cautioned against Western intrusion, stressing that teaming up with the AfD spells certain doom for his party. He also had a strong message for the BSW.
Ahead of the impending elections, Merz has unequivocally reaffirmed that the CDU will not partner with the AfD. He stated, "Such a move would signal the end of the CDU." According to him, the AfD's objective is identical - the annihilation of the CDU. "We should not extend an olive branch to those who wish to erase us politically," Merz declared.
Merz highlighted that an overwhelming majority of CDU members disapprove of collaborating with the AfD, with a small minority in favor. "We will persistently communicate that there are boundaries to what we consider conservative. These limits are surpassed when it turns into right-wing extremist, right-wing radical, anti-democratic, anti-Semitic, and xenophobic," explained Merz.
Merz: Election deceit and misuse of state elections
Regarding a potential alliance with the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance - which is not strictly ruled out by the CDU - Merz stated that post-election decisions lie with the state associations. He also advised against meddling. "I implore everybody from the western bubble to keep their opinions to themselves. It doesn't benefit the state associations working under challenging circumstances," Merz said.
Simultaneously, Merz strongly rebuked the BSW chairman, Sahra Wagenknecht. "Ms. Wagenknecht portrays the state elections as if they're about war and peace. Such a claim isn't merely ignorant; it could even amount to election deceit and misuse of state elections if the so-called BSW gives the impression that such issues can be settled at the state level," Merz admonished. Neither will NATO withdrawal be decided in Dresden nor will US medium-range missiles be stationed in Erfurt, he asserted.
Wagenknecht had cited an end to arms supply to Ukraine and more governmental diplomatic initiatives as preconditions for the BSW's involvement in the Thuringian administration. She also emphasized her opposition to US missile deployment.
Merz firmly maintains that the CDU will not align with the AfD, as their objectives align with the party's annihilation. In contrast, there's ongoing discussion about possible collaboration with the Sahra Wagenknecht alliance, but Merz insists that post-election decisions are for the state associations.
