Germany is witnessing significant political upheaval as Friedrich Merz, the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), engages with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, raising alarms over the erosion of political norms. On February 23, Germany's national elections will hinge on complex issues, chief among them immigration policy—an area where Merz's recent actions have sparked controversy and debate.
Following the collapse of the governing coalition of Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Free Democratic Party (FDP) last November, Merz has shattered expectations of maintaining the so-called "firewall" against the AfD, which has historically been viewed as unacceptable among mainstream parties. Once committed to avoiding cooperation with the AfD, Merz has now embraced their support during votes, significantly altering the political game.
According to Ed Turner, Reader in Politics at Aston University, Merz's significant approach emerged in response to the AfD's promising polling, especially leading up to the election. His five-point plan introduced stricter immigration policies, including re-establishing border controls and turning away migrants without permission. This plan symbolizes the shifting tides of German politics.
During the recent vote on the immigration resolution, the Bundestag saw unprecedented collaboration among the CDU, AfD, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP), resulting in the vote passing by 348 to 345. The SPD, Greens, and Left Party voted against. Such judicial cooperation, previously unthinkable, is now being celebrated by the AfD, who hailed the vote as a "turning point" for migration policy.
Reactions from the political establishment have been swift; Olaf Scholz, the outgoing chancellor, criticized Merz for betraying democratic traditions, stating, "It’s wrong to knowingly work with the AfD." Former Chancellor Angela Merkel also condemned Merz's actions, emphasizing the long-lasting repercussions of breaking the firewall. Greens leader Robert Habeck lamented this shift, describing it as detrimental to Europe.
Merz responded with pragmatism, stating he "regretted" the necessity of capitalizing on AfD votes but stood firmly on the grounds of his proposed policies. "Doing the right thing does not become wrong when the wrong people – the AfD – vote for it," Merz remarked as he faced heat from both leftist factions and some moderate members of his CDU.
The timing of this coalition-building is precarious, occurring just weeks before the election where the AfD has emerged as the second-most popular party, capturing 20-23% of voter sentiment according to recent polls. Merz's dramatic pivot—some argue it is not just electoral strategy but also ideological—reflects broader European trends where mainstream parties wrestle with growing right-wing populism.
The specter of political normalization of the far right raises questions: Does adopting their platforms dilute their radicalism, or does it only serve to embolden their rhetoric? The latter seems evident as the AfD capitalizes on Merz's approach to appeal to voters disillusioned with traditional parties.
Elon Musk's endorsement of the AfD only complicates matters on multiple fronts. During a recent rally, he told supporters not to feel guilt for Germany’s past, advising Germans to take pride in their culture. This aligns unnervingly with the AfD's narrative. Musk's engagement has raised the stakes, as it paints Merz's interactions with the AfD as not just politically motivated but indicative of shifting cultural sentiments among the populace—sentiments Musk tends to amplify.
The AfD, who is often cast as extreme, is now gaining ground within mainstream German politics, leveraging Merz's anti-immigration stance as evidence of their growing acceptance. Leftist parties argue Merz’s actions and Musk’s support indicate the demise of the foundational aspects of democracy, calling for urgent action to restore political norms.
Even as Merz insists on not forming coalitions with the AfD, where would the CDU find partners after the election? The imminent politics could forebode Henrik’s inevitable conclusion: Merz may have no choice but to lean on the AfD for governance, should conventional alliances fail to materialize.
These developments are being closely watched not only within Germany but across Europe, where the democratic ethos is increasingly strained. Observers will be eager to see whether Merz’s gamble pays off or backfires, leading to political fragmentation reminiscent of turmoil seen in neighboring countries.
What remains clear is the urgency of the moment; as Germany heads toward elections marked by divisive rhetoric, the question of what kind of future Germans envision for their democracy is more pressing than ever.