Hendrik Wüst pushes for AfD ban while avoiding direct confrontation
North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst warned against hasty moves on banning the AfD and proposed a joint federal-state working group to examine constitutional options.
Hendrik Wüst, the CDU Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, used his X account to caution against “quick shots” in any effort to outlaw the Alternative for Germany (AfD). He advocated establishing a federal-state working group that would include the domestic intelligence service, constitutional law experts and other specialists to study the legal ramifications of dealing with a party deemed partially anti-constitutional.
While presenting the initiative as “result-open”, opponents claim Wüst is positioning the AfD for a future ban that could bolster the CDU’s electoral prospects. The piece ties the discussion to the CDU’s recent defeat in the Saxony-Anhalt state election and to former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s criticism of the party’s “brand wall”. It portrays Wüst as lacking substantive policy direction and using procedural maneuvers to maintain power. The article concludes that the ban proposal may be the only viable path for the CDU to regain political momentum.
How this story developed
- Sep 6 AfD poised for historic win as Saxony-Anhalt election draws massive voter turnout
- Sep 6 The CDU publicly acknowledges a severe loss in the Saxony‑Anhalt election.
- Sep 7 Final seat projections released showing AfD with 39 seats and CDU with 16 seats.
- Sep 7 Final results confirm the Landtag has 83 members, the CDU holds 15 seats and the BSW secured five seats while signalling willingness to cooperate on selected issues.
- Sep 8 Günter Krings, a member of the German Bundestag, described the recent Saxony-Anhalt vote as far worse than expected, with the AfD securing 43.8% of the ballots. He argued the CDU should not entertain discussions about replacing Chancellor Friedrich Merz so soon after the far-right's victory. Krings urged the party to focus on rebuilding its credibility and blamed EU decisions for part of voter anger. The CDU’s share fell to 17.2%, roughly half of its previous support.
- Sep 9 Former US president Donald Trump praised the Alternative for Germany (AfD) after its impressive result in Saxony-Anhalt, blaming the country's immigration policies.
- Sep 9 Trump posted a congratulatory message to the AfD on Truth Social after the Saxony‑Anhalt results.
- Sep 9 Merz and AfD leader Alice Weidel clashed in a Bundestag budget debate following the Saxony‑Anhalt result.
- Sep 10 A new Insa poll shows the CDU sliding sharply in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while the SPD narrows the gap with the AfD and smaller parties risk missing the threshold.
- Sep 10 Claudia Obert resigned from the CDU and Tino Schomann publicly demanded Merz’s resignation.
- Sep 11 Only the BSW agreed to talks as all other parties declined, and Chancellor Merz rebuked Donald Trump’s congratulatory post.
- Sep 11 A new poll confirms the AfD’s continued lead while the CDU’s support keeps slipping.
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