Germany German former Chancellor Merkel: Don't let the AfD lead you around
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for a self-confident approach to the Alternative for Germany (AfD). We should "not sit here like rabbits in front of a snake" and not "let the AfD almost lead us around the ring", Merkel said on the program "phoenix persönlich". The other parties would have to make their own policies even clearer than usual - this would then reveal the differences to the AfD.
27.11.2025, 10:48
SDA
Parties that do not think the EU is right, have a completely different relationship with Russia and do not defend liberal democracy - "I cannot work together with these parties - that goes without saying," Merkel emphasized. The Christian Democrats and SPD had so much to contribute in order to convince people. "Seeking majorities with the AfD is out of the question by our own definition alone," said Merkel, who was first elected German Chancellor around 20 years ago.
Criticism in January was a "fairly unique case"
In January, during the Bundestag election campaign, Merkel had criticized the fact that the CDU/CSU parliamentary group with the then parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz had pushed through a migration resolution in parliament with the votes of the AfD. In an interview with the TV station, she made it clear that she did not want to comment on every current discussion. In the case of the AfD in January, this was a "fairly unique case". However, Merkel said that she reserves the right to do so in matters of national political importance.
