German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that his government will not allow the country to return to the nationalist policies of the past and completely rules out any cooperation with the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Speaking at a joint press conference with the CDU chairman, Merz emphasized his cabinet’s principled position:
“We will never allow Germany to slide back into the nationalist and extremist policies of the past. Cooperation with the AfD is impossible for us – neither at the federal level nor in the states. This is a red line we will not cross,” the Chancellor stated.
The statement comes amid the continued rise in popularity of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). According to recent polls, the AfD is firmly in second place in the federal polls, ahead of the SPD and approaching the CDU/CSU bloc. Despite this, Merz made it clear that coalition policy would be built exclusively within the framework of traditional democratic forces. He also called on other parties within the “democratic spectrum” to show solidarity and avoid tactical alliances with the radical right, even at the regional level.
As a reminder, following the CDU/CSU victory in the February 2025 parliamentary elections, Friedrich Merz formed a coalition government that also included the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). One of the bloc’s key campaign promises was to prevent the AfD from being legitimized as a partner in power.
Experts note that Merz’s tough stance is aimed both at domestic audiences and at European partners concerned about the rise of right-wing sentiment in Germany.