Merkel questions AfD's constitutional loyalty over public broadcaster abolition plans
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel said she doubts the AfD’s commitment to the constitution because the party wants to shut down ARD and ZDF.
At a Deutschlandfunk podcast event in Berlin, former Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her refusal to cooperate with the AfD, arguing that the party’s desire to eliminate the public broadcasters ARD and ZDF signals a lack of respect for Germany’s constitution. She highlighted the election of AfD state parliament speaker Tobias Rausch in Saxony-Anhalt as evidence of this trend, stating she would not vote for him. By contrast, Merkel defended the Left party, saying its policies are largely compatible with the Basic Law.
She also rebuked comments made by her successor Friedrich Merz, warning against language that could alienate groups. Emphasizing democratic compromise, Merkel warned that compromising core constitutional values for political gain is unacceptable. The discussion touched on broader issues such as refugee policy and pension reforms.
Why it matters
Merkel’s warnings could influence public opinion and party strategies ahead of upcoming elections.
How this story developed
- Sep 30 Berlin parties SPD, Greens and Left meet to explore cautious coalition talks
- Oct 11 The Hanseatic Higher Regional Court in Hamburg opened proceedings against Sergi Kuznetsov, who is charged with using prohibited combat methods against civilian targets and causing an explosion. Prosecutors say he led a seven-person team that rented a falsified-document yacht and placed explosives near Bornholm, damaging Nord Stream 1 and 2. The indictment claims the operation was ordered by Ukrainian state institutions while Kuznetsov served in a sabotage unit. His defence will argue that the Russian pipelines were not legitimate military targets given the ongoing war.
- Oct 12 Bärbel Bas announced her resignation from both the federal labor ministry and her role as co-leader of the SPD, citing personal reasons.
- Oct 12 SPD will elect new leadership at its year‑end congress.
- Oct 13 SPD economics minister Franziska Giffey announced she will not back continuation of the exploratory coalition talks.
- Oct 13 Finance minister Lars Klingbeil blamed the Union for creating a hostile environment that led to Bas’s resignation.
- Oct 14 The Left’s Berlin parliamentary faction voted to admit Vanessa Emde.
- Oct 14 The Hamburg court is hearing arguments on K.'s extradition and his right to discuss the alleged sabotage.
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