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German Leaders Divided Over AfD's Role in Bundestag Procedures

As SPD members vote on the coalition pact, CDU and SPD negotiators debate whether to block AfD committee chair bids or risk normalizing the far-right party.

Julia Klöckner nach ihrere Wahl zur Bundestagspräsidentin.
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AfD-Abgeordnete sitzen im Bundestag.

Overview

  • Jens Spahn of the CDU has proposed treating the AfD like any other opposition party, including allowing them to chair Bundestag committees, sparking sharp criticism from SPD leaders.
  • SPD figures, including Ralf Stegner and Lars Klingbeil, warn that any procedural normalization of the AfD could jeopardize the CDU-SPD coalition and undermine democratic norms.
  • SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch anticipates a joint CDU-SPD rejection of AfD candidates for committee chairs, emphasizing the need to deny the far-right party elevated roles in parliament.
  • Greens leader Felix Banaszak and CDU's Philipp Amthor call for a stronger substantive counterstrategy, arguing that democratic parties must shift the focus away from the AfD and present a compelling alternative vision.
  • Experts remain split on whether engaging with the AfD would weaken its populist victim narrative or embolden its far-right agenda, with historical and international examples fueling the debate.