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CSU Vice Leader Weber Calls for Easing Political Firewall Against AfD, Says It Harms Union
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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.
Source report
Manfred Weber (CSU) | Source: Michael Kappeler/dpa
CSU Vice Chairman Manfred Weber has argued for easing the strict political demarcation from the Alternative for Germany (AfD), stating that the so-called "firewall" is also harming the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
Following the CDU's painful series of defeats in three state elections in September, Weber is advocating for a more flexible approach. "The firewall in the sense of 'us or them' must become a thing of the past," the leader of the European People's Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament told the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
'Firewall Does Not Replace Policy'
Weber described the current concept as a failure, pointing to France as a prime example. "President (Emmanuel) Macron has now been saying for ten years: Le Pen or me. But next year, according to all forecasts, it is not unlikely that he will have to hand over the keys to the Élysée Palace to the right-wing extremist Marine Le Pen of the Rassemblement National."
He emphasized that the firewall cannot substitute for sound policy. "It is a permanent burden for us as the Union when, in state parliaments where we have minority governments—Thuringia and Saxony—we constantly have to vote with left-wing parties and thus pursue even more left-wing policies."
Conversely, Weber noted, the AfD frequently puts forward motions in parliament that align with CDU positions, yet the CDU is forced to vote against them due to the firewall.
Previous Cooperation with Right-Wing Parties
Weber has previously worked with right-wing parties in the European Parliament. In March, the EPP group—which includes both the CDU and CSU—advanced a legislative project to tighten EU asylum policy with the support of right-wing parties, including the AfD.
dpa/gold
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