Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for political parties to adopt a clear, proactive stance when dealing with the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) [1].
Her remarks address a central tension in German politics regarding how to isolate the far-right party without allowing it to dictate the national political agenda. By urging parties to move beyond indirect definition, Merkel suggests that a defensive posture may inadvertently grant the AfD more influence over the political discourse.
Speaking at the re:publica digital conference, Merkel said that parties should not define themselves merely by their opposition to the AfD [1]. Instead, she urged leaders to articulate their own positive visions and goals. She posed a fundamental question for the current political landscape: "Was wollen die anderen Parteien?" [1], which translates to "What do the other parties want?"
Merkel used sharp metaphors to describe the danger of a passive approach to the far-right's rise. She said that one must not "sit like a rabbit in front of the snake" [2]. This imagery suggests that a state of paralysis or fear only benefits the aggressor in a political contest.
Furthermore, the former chancellor warned against allowing the AfD to control the narrative or the pace of political debate. She said that parties must not let themselves be "led around the ring" by the AfD [2]. This call for confidence is intended to encourage a shift from reactive politics to a strategy based on a cohesive, positive alternative for voters.
While some reports emphasize her call for confidence, other accounts suggest a more severe warning regarding the party's impact on the state. Some reporting indicates she viewed the influence of AfD voters as a threat to the continued existence of democracy in Germany [3].
“"What do the other parties want?"”
Merkel's intervention highlights a strategic dilemma for Germany's mainstream parties: the 'cordon sanitaire' intended to isolate the AfD can sometimes result in a political vacuum. By advising parties to lead with their own agendas rather than reacting to the far-right, she is advocating for a shift from negative integration to positive mobilization to prevent the AfD from becoming the sole driver of political change.
