German Celebrities Condemn CDU's Collaboration with AfD in Parliament

Prominent figures criticize the CDU for breaking a political taboo by aligning with the far-right AfD, warning of potential long-term consequences for German democracy.

• Hundreds of German celebrities have issued a statement condemning the CDU's parliamentary collaboration with the far-right AfD on an asylum policy vote, calling it a 'historic taboo break.'
• Critics argue that such moves erode the so-called 'firewall' against far-right influence and could embolden extremist politics, citing examples from Italy, France, and Austria.
• Philosopher Julian Nida-Rümelin emphasizes the importance of maintaining the 'firewall,' warning that compromising with the far-right risks transforming Germany's political landscape.
• Psychologists and analysts highlight the limited impact of celebrity activism, cautioning that it can backfire if perceived as disconnected from everyday concerns like inflation and housing costs.
• Historical comparisons were drawn to Günter Grass's 1969 campaign for Willy Brandt, where cultural figures successfully connected with working-class voters on tangible issues like education and wages.

3 Articles

Die Rheinpfalz Der Tagesspiegel Stern