Kretschmer reaffirms: No cooperation with AfD, calls it 'securely right-wing extremist'

Saxony's Minister-President Michael Kretschmer has strongly reaffirmed his fundamental opposition to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, stating unequivocally that "there will be and can be no coalition or cooperation with the AfD as a securely right-wing extremist party." This clarification comes after criticism of his recent interview remarks.

Kretschmer, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), explained that his previous statement in the "Handelsblatt" newspaper, suggesting that those still discussing a "firewall" against the AfD had "not recognized the signs of the times" and that "we must talk to everyone who wants to talk," was intended to highlight the daily parliamentary reality. "But of course, AfD members have parliamentary rights. They can table motions, and some chair committees in the state parliament. There is daily conversation and struggle with them," he said.

He further elaborated that the term "firewall" is more beneficial to the AfD than detrimental. Kretschmer criticized the prevailing discourse, arguing that too much attention is paid to how to deal with the AfD, rather than investigating the underlying reasons for its electoral success. "I experience a naive hope that this development will simply disappear again," Kretschmer commented, adding that many, especially in western German states, believe it is not their problem, despite the reality having arrived there as well.

Kretschmer stressed the need for a shared understanding of the causes of voter frustration that fuels the AfD's rise. He believes that focusing on the "fire and its causes" is more productive than debating the strategy of isolating the party. The Minister-President's stance reiterates the CDU's official policy of non-cooperation with the AfD at federal and state levels, while acknowledging the practicalities of engaging with elected AfD representatives in parliamentary proceedings.