CDU Retreat Confronts AfD Firewall Crisis After State Election Losses
The CDU leadership held a two-day retreat in Berlin to address catastrophic state election results and internal divisions over its "firewall" policy against the AfD. The AfD became the strongest force in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia, while the CDU lost seats in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and won only 17 percent in Saxony-Anhalt. Manfred Weber called for ending the firewall, while Karin Prien warned the party could cease to exist if it abandons its stance. An Insa poll found 53 percent of Germans support firewalls.
Reference imageEditorial responsibility
- No named human review is recorded for this page.
- Reports are grouped by semantic similarity and deterministic rules. Language models may assist titles, summaries, translation and cross-source analysis; the page reads the event directly, while its address stays stable when the title changes.
- Summary covers the current reports
Cross-source coverage
Reporting timeline
Columnist Jörges Decries Self-Destruction of Germany's SPD and CDU
In a WELT opinion column, Hans-Ulrich Jörges sharply criticizes the current state of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU). He argues that the SPD is losing its political course, while the CDU is abandoning its "Brandmauer" — its firewall against cooperation with the far-right AfD. Jörges expresses dismay at what he calls the self-destruction of these parties, framing the situation as "the Merz Republic." The commentary reflects ongoing tensions within Germany's mainstream parties amid shifting political dynamics.
CDU Vice Krings Rejects 'Firewall' Term, Insists on 'Red Line' Against AfD
Günter Krings, deputy parliamentary group leader of the CDU/CSU, argued that the term 'Brandmauer' (firewall) is poorly chosen because it can be perceived as walling in AfD voters. Instead, he favors the concept of a 'red line.' Krings stated that any cooperation between the CDU and AfD is impossible because it would be incompatible with the party's core values, though he stressed the need to continually explain the differences. He also commented on internal CDU debates about social justice, criticizing the 'Rente mit 63' pension policy as unjust because it primarily benefits the healthy and well-off. The CDU leadership is holding a two-day retreat in Berlin to address recent election losses and plan reforms.
Read sourceSöder Urges CDU Defectors to Quit Party Over AfD Votes
In an appearance on the ARD talk show "Caren Miosga," Bavarian Minister-President and CSU leader Markus Söder urged any CDU lawmakers in Saxony-Anhalt considering backing AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund for minister-president to leave the party instead, calling such behavior "pretty shabby." Söder said anyone who votes for the AfD "has no future with us" and should have the "backbone" to admit it and go elsewhere. He described the AfD as "brutally right-wing" and not a "normal party," citing its positions on disability, the Nazi era, and Russia, while arguing the so-called firewall should not prevent substantive debate with the party. On the federal coalition, Söder warned it cannot be held together by fear of the AfD alone and needs shared goals and results, declining to name who is blocking reforms. dm CEO Christoph Werner and FAZ journalist Julia Löhr also discussed Germany's growth outlook and political reform.
Show 13 older updatesHide older updates
CDU Debates AfD Strategy and Party Direction at Leadership Retreat
The CDU leadership began a two-day retreat to address catastrophic election results and internal divisions over how to handle the AfD. Manfred Weber, head of the EPP group in the European Parliament, called for ending the 'firewall' against the AfD, arguing that constantly aligning with left-wing parties in minority governments in Thuringia and Saxony is a burden. He labeled the AfD a 'political enemy' but said the CDU must move beyond pure rejection and debate content. The AfD became the strongest force in both states, while the CDU lost seats in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and won only 17 percent in Saxony-Anhalt. Alleged CDU lawmakers in Saxony-Anhalt voted for the first AfD state parliament president. Party leader and Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces competing factions: the Christian-social wing demands keeping the firewall and a more social course, while conservatives want more conservative policies and 'red lines' instead of a firewall. CDU vice-chair Karin Prien warned the party could cease to exist if it abandons its clear stance against cooperating with the AfD or the Left. CSU figures Horst Seehofer and Weber also criticized the government. General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann tempered expectations, calling the retreat the start of a process, not a miracle cure.
CDU Struggles for Reset as Expert Says Brandmauer Hurt Union, Not AfD
After losing three state elections and falling below 20 percent in polls, the CDU is seeking a fresh start at a party leadership retreat. Political scientist Volker Kronenberg argued that the so-called Brandmauer, the firewall against cooperation with the AfD, has massively harmed the Union rather than the AfD. The article's headline warns that if the current course continues, the CDU's decline will persist while the AfD will surge. The report frames the CDU's crisis as a strategic dilemma over how to respond to the far-right party's rise.
CDU's 'Firewall' Against AfD Under Scrutiny as Poll Shows Divided Opinion
WELT political editor Nikolaus Doll said the CDU's core problem is that it does not know how to handle the challenge posed by the AfD. The report centers on whether the CDU will maintain its so-called 'Brandmauer,' or firewall, against cooperation with the AfD. Doll argued that if the CDU keeps the firewall in place, it can only pursue left-wing policies. The article also cites a current Insa poll showing that nearly one in three respondents considers political firewalls to be wrong. The item presents the debate as an ongoing strategic dilemma for the CDU rather than a resolved policy shift.
Read sourceMajority of Germans Back Political Firewalls, Insa Poll Finds
A representative Insa poll for Bild found that 53 percent of Germans support political 'firewalls' — self-commitments by parties to exclude cooperation with certain parties — while nearly one in three considers them wrong. The term is mainly used regarding the AfD, which is monitored nationwide by the domestic intelligence service as a suspected case, with some state branches classified as confirmed right-wing extremist. After the Berlin election, a firewall against Die Linke is also being discussed. On whether firewalls should apply to both the AfD and Die Linke, 32 percent said no, 16 percent backed both, 25 percent only the AfD, and 12 percent only Die Linke. Among Union supporters, 53 percent oppose abandoning the federal firewall, 29 percent support it, with even stronger support in Saxony-Anhalt. The CDU presidium meets Sunday and Monday to address recent election losses. The poll surveyed 1,003 eligible voters on October 8-9.
Majority of Germans Back Political Firewalls, Survey Finds
A representative Insa survey for Bild found that 53 percent of Germans support political 'firewalls' — self-commitments by parties to exclude cooperation with certain parties — while nearly one in three considers them wrong. The term is mainly used regarding the AfD, which is monitored nationwide by the domestic intelligence service as a suspected case, with some state branches classified as confirmed right-wing extremist. After the Berlin election, a firewall against Die Linke is also being discussed. On whether firewalls should apply to both the AfD and the Left, 32 percent said no, 16 percent backed excluding both, 25 percent supported a firewall only against the AfD, and 12 percent only against the Left. Among Union supporters, 53 percent oppose abandoning the federal firewall, while 29 percent favor it; support is even higher in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD won the state election. The CDU presidium will discuss recent election losses and its future stance toward the AfD.
Read sourcePanic in German Union as CDU Polls at 14% Without CSU, 'Firewall' Against AfD Ends
According to a report by Die Welt, the German Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is facing a fundamental crisis. Without its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, the CDU is polling at only 14 percent. This dire situation has sparked panic within the Union parties and is forcing a reconsideration of their long-standing strategy of maintaining a political 'firewall' (Brandmauer) against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The article states there is broad agreement within the party that a change in course regarding how to deal with the AfD is necessary, signaling the potential end of the formal policy of non-cooperation.
Read sourceCSU Vice Leader Weber Calls for Easing Political Firewall Against AfD, Says It Harms Union
Manfred Weber, Vice Chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU) and leader of the European People's Party in the European Parliament, has called for softening the strict political demarcation ("Brandmauer") between the Union parties (CDU/CSU) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). In an interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung, Weber stated that the firewall concept has failed, citing the example of French President Emmanuel Macron, who after a decade of opposing Marine Le Pen may have to hand her the presidency. Weber argued that the firewall does not replace substantive policy and has become a "Riesenbelastung" (enormous burden) for the Union, forcing it into coalitions with left-wing parties in state parliaments where the CDU holds minority governments, such as in Thuringia and Saxony. He noted that the AfD frequently puts forward motions based on CDU policies, but the CDU is compelled to vote against them due to the firewall. The article also notes that Weber's own EPP group in the European Parliament has previously cooperated with right-wing parties, including the AfD, to advance EU asylum policy legislation.
AfD's von Storch: Union Commits Suicide by Chaining Itself to Left-Wing Parties
In a video published by Die Welt on October 9, 2026, Beatrix von Storch, a prominent member of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), commented on the election of the first AfD president of a state parliament (Landtag) in Saxony-Anhalt. Von Storch described the event as a 'high festival of democracy.' She sharply criticized the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), accusing it of attempting to celebrate a 'firewall excess' by refusing to cooperate with the AfD. Von Storch stated that the CDU is 'committing suicide' by chaining itself to left-wing parties, adding, 'We cannot stop them from committing suicide.' The remarks highlight the ongoing political tensions in Germany regarding the so-called 'firewall' (Brandmauer) against the far-right AfD.
Read sourceCDU's 'Firewall' Against AfD Forces Party Toward Left-Wing Politics, WELT Editor Warns
In a video commentary published by Die Welt on October 9, 2026, politics editor Nikolaus Doll argues that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) faces a fundamental problem in its approach to the Alternative for Germany (AfD). Doll asserts that if the CDU maintains its so-called 'Brandmauer' (firewall) policy of refusing any cooperation with the AfD, the party will be forced to adopt only left-wing policies. He warns that the recent internal strife in Saxony-Anhalt will not be the last instance of the CDU tearing itself apart over this issue. The commentary highlights the deepening strategic dilemma within Germany's center-right party as it struggles to define its relationship with the far-right AfD, which continues to gain electoral strength. Doll's analysis suggests that the current strategy is unsustainable and will lead to further internal fragmentation.
Read sourceWELT columnist calls CDU's firewall against AfD undemocratic and automakers' car refusal fatal
In a commentary published by Die Welt, author Fatina Keilani sharply criticizes the German CDU party's strategy of maintaining a 'firewall' (Brandmauer) against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Keilani argues that this approach is 'completely undemocratic' and amounts to the very behavior the CDU accuses the AfD of. She describes the firewall as a 'plank in front of the CDU's head' from which the party refuses to learn. Additionally, Keilani condemns the decision by German automakers to deny the AfD the use of company fleet cars (Dienstwagen) as 'fatal.' The commentary frames both the political exclusion and the corporate refusal as antidemocratic actions that undermine political pluralism. The piece reflects a critical perspective on mainstream German parties' efforts to isolate the AfD, suggesting such tactics are counterproductive and hypocritical.
Did the CDU's 'Brandmauer' Actually Help? Forsa Chief Says Numbers Show It Did Not Harm
This article from Die Welt analyzes the debate within Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) over the electoral impact of its 'Brandmauer' (firewall) policy, which aims to prevent any cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Many within the CDU blame this strategy for the party's recent electoral decline. However, Manfred Güllner, head of the Forsa polling institute, disputes this claim. He argues that an examination of polling data from recent years shows that attributing the CDU's slump to the 'Brandmauer' has no basis in reality. The article presents Güllner's expert opinion as a counterpoint to internal party criticism, suggesting the firewall may not have been the decisive factor in the CDU's electoral performance.
Read sourceGysi: 'We protect the CDU more than the AfD can protect them' in Firewall Debate
The article reports on a debate on the German talk show 'Maischberger' following the election of AfD politician Tobias Rausch as Landtag president in Saxony-Anhalt, marking the first time the far-right party holds such a post. Left party politician Gregor Gysi claimed the 'firewall' (Brandmauer) against the AfD had fallen, asserting he knew the secret voting breakdown of CDU members. Historian Andreas Rödder countered that the firewall fell with voters in the September election and proposed replacing the concept with 'red lines' based on rule-of-law and democratic principles. Gysi warned that CDU cooperation with the AfD would suggest a right-wing extremist tendency, while Rödder noted the CDU faces a dilemma: cooperating with the AfD risks a left-wing split, while dropping the ban on cooperation with the Left party risks right-wing erosion. Both agreed on the need for an AfD ban if it is proven to be anti-constitutional. Rödder also criticized the CDU's use of 'firewall' rhetoric against the Left party in Berlin as a 'retourkutsche' (tit-for-tat).
Read sourceWELT Moderator Brockhaus: CDU's Firewall Against AfD Has Failed, Cooperation Is Democracy
In a video segment for WELT's program 'Meinungsfreiheit,' moderator Nena Brockhaus argues that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) should abandon its 'Brandmauer' (firewall) policy of refusing to cooperate with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Brockhaus states that the firewall has 'colossally failed' and has only contributed to the 'dwarfing' of the CDU. She asserts that other parties must work with AfD members, calling this process 'democracy.' The commentary reflects a growing debate within German conservative politics about the viability of maintaining a strict cordon sanitaire against the AfD, which has gained significant electoral support. Brockhaus's remarks are presented as a direct challenge to the CDU's current strategy, urging a reevaluation of its political stance.