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At Gillamoos, Söder and Aiwanger Sharpen Conservative Line, Rebuke AfD

The speeches signal a strategy to hold voters with the AfD narrowing the national polling gap.

Overview

  • CSU leader Markus Söder repeatedly attacked the Greens and Robert Habeck while insisting his party is distinct from the AfD, which he said harbors right‑wing radicals in key roles.
  • Freie Wähler chief Hubert Aiwanger escalated law‑and‑order rhetoric, linking many knife attacks to North African migrants and calling for them to be sent home while decrying political correctness.
  • Outside the festival grounds, AfD figure Katrin Ebner‑Steiner echoed nationalist themes, alleged limits on free speech, and promised mass deportations.
  • Greens and SPD leaders warned that adopting extremist slogans empowers the AfD and blurs the line between conservative and right‑radical positions.
  • The event doubles as early positioning for Bavarian municipal elections in six months, with fresh ARD polling placing the Union at 27% and the AfD at 25% nationally.