Overview
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg used a ZDF Markus Lanz appearance on November 6 to say extremists and AfD functionaries belong behind a Brandmauer but ordinary AfD voters do not.
- He argued a boycott will not weaken the AfD and called for open confrontation across party lines, including direct conversations at local levels.
- He said the AfD is partly light years ahead in political communication and urged other parties to modernize their messaging and outreach.
- Journalist Melanie Amann countered that the AfD does not engage in argumentative debate and urged the Union to clarify its own story and message.
- Research cited in the discussion reported declining overt extremism but wider diffusion of right-wing ideas, as psychologist Stephan Grünewald warned of a crisis of connectedness and the panel referenced Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral win as a comparative touchpoint.