Meloni says Germany's 'firewall' against far-right parties is failing
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Il Foglio that the so-called brandmauer strategy in Germany and elsewhere does not stop right-wing parties like the AfD, which recently won in Saxony-Anhalt.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, also leader of the Fratelli d’Italia party, commented to Il Foglio that the "brandmauer" tactic employed in Germany and other European nations fails to curb the rise of parties campaigning on identity defence, illegal mass immigration and the threat of Islamisation, as evidenced by the AfD's win in Saxony-Anhalt. She criticized the reliance on barriers, insisting that authorities should listen to public concerns and respond accordingly, while stressing that Italy's political landscape differs from Germany's. Meloni recalled her previous distancing from the AfD and explained that her party sits in the European Conservatives and Reformers group, whereas the AfD belongs to the Europe of Sovereign Nations bloc formed with France's Reconquête!. The interview also touched on divergent stances toward Russia and the Ukraine war, noting Meloni's support for EU military aid despite criticism over allowing Russian participation in the Venice Biennale.
How this was covered
- The two sides describe this in almost entirely different words
Why it matters
The comments reveal how European right-wing parties are challenging traditional containment tactics across the continent.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage frames the story around Meloni’s criticism that Germany’s ‘firewall’ strategy is failing, while center coverage shifts focus to diplomatic ties and broader EU criticism of “sanitary cordon” policies, and right-leaning coverage emphasizes the electoral success of the AfD and blames political elites for ignoring the right-populist surge.
LEFT
Meloni’s claim that Germany’s ‘brandmauer’ against far-right parties is ineffective and that the AfD’s win illustrates its failure.
CENTER
Discussion of Meloni’s alliances and criticism that the EU’s “cordone sanitario” is antidemocratic, linking it to wider European policy delays.
The left emphasises
- the "brandmauer" tactic employed in Germany and other European nations fails to curb the rise of parties campaigning on identity defence, illegal mass immigration and the threat of Islamisation
- the AfD's win in Saxony-Anhalt
- authorities should listen to public concerns and respond accordingly
How this story developed
- Sep 7 Merz warns AfD surge in Saxony-Anhalt could reshape Germany’s politics
- Sep 7 AfD announced it will begin talks with potential partners after falling short of a majority.
- 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 8 CDU leaders proposed a working group to study a possible ban of the AfD.
- 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 A new poll confirms the AfD’s continued lead while the CDU’s support keeps slipping.
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