German centre-right leader says he is willing to work with far-right AfD at local level

Source: The Guardian

German centre-right leader says he is willing to work with far-right AfD at local level

Comments by CDU leader Friedrich Merz could see erosion of political ‘firewall’ separating conservatives and far right

Philip Oltermann in Berlin
@philipoltermann
Mon 24 Jul 2023 01.11 BST
Last modified on Mon 24 Jul 2023 01.26 BST

The leader of Germany’s centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has said his party is willing to cooperate with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) at a local political level, triggering cries of protest from his own party and raising concerns about the firewall between German conservatives and the far right.

In an interview with state broadcaster ZDF on Sunday, CDU leader Friedrich Merz categorically ruled out joining a coalition with the AfD at a national level but said such a taboo should not apply to local politics.

“Of course we are obliged to accept democratic votes,” Merz said. “And if the head of a district authority or a mayor is voted in who belongs to the AfD, then of course you find ways to continue to work in that town.”

The AfD won its first German district council in the eastern state of Thuringia last month, and secured its first mayoral post, in Saxony-Anhalt, at the start of July. Recent polls show the rightwing populist outfit at 20-22% of the vote, behind the CDU on 26-28% – both ahead of the three centre-left, green and liberal parties that form Germany’s government.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/24/german-centre-right-leader-says-he-is-willing-to-work-with-far-right-afd-at-local-level

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