CDU's Frei enforces nationwide AfD cooperation ban ahead of Saxony-Anhalt election where AfD polls at 41%

CDU leadership draws red line on AfD

CDU/CSU parliamentary group leader Thorsten Frei has told Funke Media Group newspapers that the party's ban on cooperating with the AfD is a fundamental decision binding on all state associations, including Saxony-Anhalt where the far-right party is polling far ahead of the Christian Democrats. Frei was asked whether the CDU in Saxony-Anhalt would hold its line if, after the 6 September election, it could govern alongside the AfD. He replied that the federal party leadership normally stays out of state government formation, but that this question affects the entire party.

The cooperation ban with the AfD is a fundamental decision in the CDU. It cannot be answered differently depending on the federal state.

Frei noted that the federal party leadership does not normally interfere in the formation of state governments, but said this is a question that concerns the party as a whole. The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt is classified by the Verfassungsschutz, Germany's domestic intelligence agency, as a confirmed right-wing extremist entity.

Polling arithmetic in Saxony-Anhalt

An Infratest poll for Saxony-Anhalt puts the AfD at 41%, the CDU at 24%, the Left at 13%, the SPD at 7% and the Greens at 5%, with remaining parties falling below the 5% parliamentary threshold. This configuration creates a dilemma for the CDU: to secure a majority without the AfD, it would need some form of cooperation with the Left, which is also excluded by a party congress resolution. The possibility that the SPD and the Greens could both fall below 5% adds further risk, potentially giving the AfD an absolute majority of seats.

Saxony-Anhalt is currently governed by a Kenya coalition of CDU, SPD and FDP under CDU Minister President Sven Schulze. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the incumbent government is an SPD-Left coalition led by Social Democrat Manuela Schwesig. Frei indicated that in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, where elections are held on 20 September, the CDU is less likely to face the question of cooperating with the AfD or the Left, as projections suggest it will not be part of those state governments.

Merz to remain chancellor through full term

Frei rejected speculation that Chancellor Friedrich Merz could be replaced as party leader and chancellor if the September state elections go poorly for the CDU.

Friedrich Merz is the elected Chancellor. He will remain in office for the entire legislative period.

Frei said the authority of the chancellor is intact. He acknowledged that the September elections would have an impact on the federal government's work in Berlin, saying they would certainly not be a catastrophe but would in any case have consequences for governance. He said the enormous reforms the coalition has planned require strong governing parties and strong party leaders.

Cabinet reshuffle acknowledged as imperfect

Frei conceded that a recent personnel reshuffle carried out by Merz in the cabinet and the party did not go as desired. He said Merz had to make decisions in a very short time, which in turn triggered further decisions. The image that emerged externally, Frei said, was one of a missing overarching strategy. Die Welt and ZEIT ONLINE both reported that Frei's intervention is seen as an attempt to calm nerves within the party ahead of the three state elections while simultaneously sending a message of discipline to the state associations.