{
  "id": 5466859,
  "title": "Commentary: The end of the firewall would be the end of the CDU.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/kommentar-das-ende-der-brandmauer-ware-das-ende-der-cdu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T02:07:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/meinung/kommentare/kommentar-die-brandmauer-dient-dem-schutz-der-cdu/100251680.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "The debate over the Union's firewall against the AfD is based on a misunderstanding, with some believing its purpose is to exclude the party and its voters. However, the CDU's non-compatibility resolution has lost its sanctioning power. The firewall has created an environment where the AfD has thrived, allowing it to perfect its victim role. The party is poised for a historic win in Saxony-Anhalt and is leading in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with nearly 20% of votes expected in Berlin. Some opponents of the AfD now suggest lifting the firewall and giving the party political responsibility, hoping that governing will temper its rhetoric.",
  "summary": "The policy of exclusion has not weakened the AfD, but rather strengthened it - it has failed and can go, is what is being said more and more often these days. But the crucial point is being overlooked.",
  "key_points": [
    "Critics argue CDU's Border Fence aims to exclude AfD, not create barrier",
    "AfD thrives in Border Fence ecosystem, perfecting victimhood narrative",
    "Change through proximity promised to shift AfD rhetoric"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Critics argue that maintaining the Union's border fence against the AfD only strengthens the party's narrative and electoral prospects, suggesting that integrating it into the political mainstream could be more effective.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}