Differentiation also from the union of values
Merz gives arguments against the AfD ban
January 13, 2024, 3:42 p.m
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It is not just since the meeting in Potsdam that there has been a debate about a possible ban on the AfD. Merz doesn’t think that’s a good idea. The CDU leader announces an incompatibility decision regarding the union of values.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz warns against initiating party ban proceedings against the AfD. This will take years and will only strengthen the AfD “in its martyr role,” said Merz at the end of a closed meeting of the Federal Executive Board in Heidelberg. “I don’t think much of that.” On the other hand, he advocates “continuing the political opinion battle against the AfD with all consistency” and seeking a substantive debate with it.
Party bans “always remain a last resort,” said Merz. But he also referred to historical experiences with them. The KPD was banned in the 1950s. “A little later the DKP was founded – partly by the same people.”
With a view to the European elections on June 9th and the state elections in Brandenburg, Thuringia and Saxony in the fall, Merz further emphasized that this was not a specifically East German issue, but a pan-German issue. All parties in the political center have the task of dealing with the AfD. He also expects the same from the SPD, FDP and the Greens. The best means of a successful strategy against the AfD is good politics in Berlin, said Merz.
“Please take a close look at who you might be voting for.”
The CDU chairman explained that his party would focus intensively on the AfD’s European policy, its position on Russia and economic policy. There is sympathy for the AfD among medium-sized companies and other entrepreneurs. They will be told: “Please look carefully at who you might be voting for. This is not a party that will advance this country economically.”
The debate over a ban on the AfD was reignited this week after reports of a secret meeting with right-wing extremists. According to research by the Correctiv network, this was said to be about plans to expel people with a migrant background from Germany.
Merz reiterated that there would be “very harsh consequences” if, as was likely, CDU politicians were also involved in the meeting. The party will not tolerate “members of the CDU joining forces with such people in any way and discussing such disgusting political topics here.” Merz further ruled out “that we are working with the AfD in any way.”
Incompatibility decision with a union of values
At the same time, the CDU leader distanced himself from the so-called national-conservative values union, which also has CDU members in its ranks. If this group around the former President of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maaßen, were to found their own party, the members would have to leave the CDU anyway because there could be no dual membership.
“If a party is not founded, then I will also present a resolution of incompatibility with membership in the Union of Values, with membership in the CDU, to the next federal party conference (in May),” said Merz. With the presentation of the new basic program, there is no longer any reason to “get involved with the CDU outside of the CDU’s regular structures.”
Maaßen announced the founding of the party last week. He justified the plans with the course of the CDU leadership under Merz. In interviews, Maaßen also made it clear that, unlike Merz, he did not rule out working with the AfD. For him, there is “no firewall here,” he said.
Maaßen wants to set the course for the founding of the party at a general meeting of the Union of Values on January 20th in Erfurt. A decision will be made on an application to transfer the name of the Union of Values to a future party.