Söder and Kretschmer warn German coalition against failure after AfD win

Warnings over federal coalition stability

Speaking to journalists in Munich on Sunday evening ahead of a CSU board retreat, Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder warned against the potential collapse of Germany's federal black-red coalition led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. With internal debates surrounding Merz's leadership following the victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, Söder cautioned that a swift failure of the current government would benefit only political extremists.

It would be a disaster if, after the failure of the traffic light coalition, the next democratic government were to fail shortly afterwards in an even shorter time.

Söder characterized a potential government collapse as a penalty kick without a goalkeeper for the AfD. He urged all members of the governing coalition to pull themselves together and step up their pace. Söder stated that governing work must become faster and more effective, small errors must be avoided, and official communication needs to improve while concentrating strictly on essential matters. He stressed that while the Saxony-Anhalt election outcome is severe, democratic leaders must treat it as a wake-up call that cannot be ignored.

Strategic debate on the conservative firewall

During the retreat, Söder reaffirmed his critique of the CDU's traditional firewall against the AfD. He argued that the previous firewall model had failed because it neglected policy discussions, leaving underlying voter concerns unaddressed. Söder clarified that his stance does not advocate coalition or political cooperation with the AfD, but rather demands confronting the party directly on concrete policy content.

Söder simultaneously warned the federal government against steering toward a leftward political shift in response to the election outcome. He presented the CSU in Bavaria as a protective wall and a steady anchor against right-wing populist gains. Emphasizing that political stagnation provides the primary fuel for the AfD, Söder called on the federal coalition to advance planned reforms without watering them down, rolling them back, or resetting them to zero.

Saxon backing and citizen outreach

Saxony's Minister-President and CDU deputy federal chairman Michael Kretschmer attended the Munich meeting as a guest, expressing strong support for Söder and the Bavarian party's approach. Kretschmer described the recent electoral setback in Saxony-Anhalt as a disaster that did not emerge unexpectedly, noting that earlier cautionary voices within the conservative parties had been disregarded.

The worst thing that can happen is that everything continues as before and no consequences are drawn from it.

Kretschmer argued that the most effective way to defend democratic institutions is to resolve the practical problems perceived by the population. He asserted that political leaders must move past merely explaining decisions, seeking trust, and making verbal pledges. Kretschmer emphasized that the conservative union currently requires the CSU approach of listening to citizens and understanding their demands. He cited Söder as an example, noting that the Bavarian leader can draw 3,000 attendees to a beer tent without requiring a large police presence for security.

Energy costs and domestic economic pressure

Addressing broader governance challenges, Söder identified domestic energy costs as an immediate priority requiring federal action. Pointing to international developments in Saudi Arabia, he argued that Berlin must urgently address energy pricing in Germany, as power and fuel rates cannot remain at such elevated levels permanently.

Both leaders maintained that the coalition must deliver concrete policy results rather than continuing with prolonged procedural disputes.