CDU leadership rejects potential coalition with AfD in eastern Germany

The leadership of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Berlin will not permit its state branch in Saxony-Anhalt to independently form a coalition with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party following state elections. Thorsten Frei, the parliamentary group leader for the CDU/CSU in the Bundestag, emphasized that the ban on cooperation with the AfD is a core principle for the entire party and cannot vary by state.

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The ban on cooperation with the AfD is a fundamental decision in the CDU. It cannot be answered differently depending on the state.

Frei's remarks came in response to questions about the CDU's stance if it could form a government in Saxony-Anhalt with the AfD's support. He reiterated that the party's fundamental decision against cooperating with the AfD remains in place. This stance is particularly relevant as the AfD has been classified as a "securely right-wing extremist" entity by the domestic intelligence agency and currently leads in opinion polls in Saxony-Anhalt, where the CDU is the leading party in the governing coalition with the SPD and FDP.

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These elections would certainly not be a catastrophe.

Beyond Saxony-Anhalt, state parliament elections are also scheduled for September in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin. Frei acknowledged these upcoming elections but stated they would "certainly not be a catastrophe." However, he noted that they would inevitably impact the federal government's work in Berlin, affecting all parties involved. He also confirmed that there would be no change in the federal chancellor, stating that Friedrich Merz, the current chancellor, would remain in office for the entire legislative period.

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Friedrich Merz is the elected Chancellor. He will remain in office for the entire legislative period.