Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer has criticized the debate over possible CDU cooperation with the AfD as unhelpful. He stressed that it is more important to understand the reasons for the AfD's rise and address the population's concerns. Kretschmer refers to his previous stance and party decisions that exclude cooperations.
Michael Kretschmer, Saxony's Minister President and CDU politician, spoke critically in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland about the ongoing discussion on his party's potential cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is classified as right-extremist in parts. «It brings nothing to always just talk about dealing with the AfD. It's important to understand why it has gained strength», he said.
Kretschmer advocated focusing on resolving the issues preoccupying the population. «We must solve the topics that concern the population. Only then will trust in the rule of law and democracy return. Firewalls do not help us further», he added. When asked if he excludes any form of cooperation with the AfD, he avoided a simple yes-no answer. Instead, he referred to his actions as Minister President: «In the past years, I have given the answer through my actions as Minister President. My stance toward a party that is securely classified as right-extremist not only in Saxony is clear. There's no need to talk further about it with me – I have shown how I see it.» Later, he stated: «I commit to having understood that one must talk about the reasons for the AfD's strengthening.»
The background is provided by CDU party decisions. A 2018 party congress resolution excludes coalitions and similar forms of cooperation with the AfD and the Left. A 2020 presidium decision reaffirms: «For the CDU Germany, there is no cooperation with the AfD – neither direct nor indirect.» However, a CDU paper acknowledges that certain points of contact are unavoidable in parliamentary daily life, such as conscience votes on issues like organ donation.