German conservative leader Friedrich Merz has firmly rejected the possibility of forming a coalition with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, following his victory in Sunday’s parliamentary elections. Merz, leading the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), secured 28.6% of the vote, while the AfD garnered 20.4%.
In an interview with ZDF, Merz stated that an alliance with the AfD is “out of the question,” emphasizing the party’s pro-Russia stance, particularly its lack of criticism toward Russia in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. He called this position incompatible with the values of the CDU/CSU, making a coalition with them untenable.
Merz also expressed his desire for a quicker formation of the new government, aiming to complete coalition talks within the next eight weeks. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, placed third with 16.3% of the vote. Despite this, Scholz clarified that he does not seek a role in the new government or the upcoming coalition negotiations.
As Germany faces political uncertainty following months of instability, Merz’s rejection of a far-right coalition underscores the growing divide in German politics and the challenges ahead in forming a stable government.
Germany-Friedrich-Merz-Picture-by-Krisztian-Bocsi-for-Bloomberg-via-finansavisen
