CDU faces internal split over AfD strategy as Saxony-Anhalt crisis deepens
The CDU is torn between maintaining its anti-AfD stance and confronting electoral losses in Saxony-Anhalt, prompting defections and calls for a new approach.
The CDU’s poor performance in the recent Saxony-Anhalt state election, which saw it lose a large share of its parliamentary group, has reignited criticism of the “Brandmauer” strategy that blocks any cooperation with the AfD. Prominent local politicians, including the mayor of Altmärkische Höhe, have publicly backed the AfD’s Ulrich Siegmund, arguing that the party no longer represents conservative values. National leaders such as Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder have dismissed allegations of covert AfD support, while others like Manfred Weber call for abandoning the “either-or” approach.
Within the state party, four CDU deputies are considering forming a separate parliamentary group, and the upcoming Zerbst party congress will decide the future direction. The internal dispute threatens to further erode the CDU’s voter base and could reshape coalition dynamics at both state and federal levels.
Why it matters
The CDU’s split over AfD cooperation could reshape Germany’s centre-right politics and affect future coalition formations.
How this story developed
- Sep 24 Berlin election fuels fierce debate over housing expropriation and coalition prospects
- Sep 30 Two weeks after the Left's strong showing in Berlin's election, leaders from SPD, the Greens and the Left convened at the Haus der Statistik on Alexanderplatz. The parties said they would first agree on core issues such as antisemitism, racism and organized crime before moving to formal exploratory talks. The meeting was described as a tentative step toward a possible red-green-red alliance, with further discussions expected in the coming days.
- Oct 3 AfD now ahead of the Union in the latest INSA Sunday poll, widening the gap.
- Oct 6 The party moved from campaign rhetoric to a detailed plan to expropriate apartments from eight major landlords.
- Oct 13 SPD economics minister Franziska Giffey announced she will not back continuation of the exploratory coalition talks.
- Oct 14 The Left’s Berlin parliamentary faction voted to admit Vanessa Emde.
- Oct 16 Coalition talks were resumed after a one‑day suspension.
- Oct 17 The three parties completed exploratory negotiations and will seek approval to open coalition talks.
In this story
Related stories
30 in this thread