Analysis: The firewall has failed – three better ideas for dealing with the AfD
Before the state election, it is clear: The firewall in its current form has failed. The political center should still do everything to keep the AfD away from the government. Three ideas.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made a notable intervention in the Saxony-Anhalt state election campaign, despite being kept out of the public eye by his party until then. In two closed-door meetings, Merz stated that Saxony-Anhalt must not become a testing ground for "angry citizens", referring to potential Alternative for Germany (AfD) voters.
This move has created a clear divide between Merz and the far-right in Saxony-Anhalt, reinforcing the "firewall" that his party has sought to establish. Merz has previously stated that he aims not only to exclude the AfD from government but also to halve its support.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
