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  2. Chancellor Merz Defends AfD
May 16, 2025 at 7:02 AM

Chancellor Merz Defends AfD

Sisyphus
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Friedrich Merz, formerly of BlackRock Germany, is the new chancellor of Germany. He'll be taking office amid investigations by German intelligence of AfD (Alternative für Deutschland), characterized as a very, very far-right political party by their globalist adversaries, despite polling as high as 40% (more than any of the opposition) with German voters. Gateway Pundit is now reporting that Chancellor Merz has repudiated the effort to ban or sanction the AfD, as has been so broadly discussed.

In a climate of escalating rhetoric and maneuvering amid shifting political realities, Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected growing calls from leftist and globalist parties to ban the right-wing, anti-globalist AfD, warning that such efforts risk weaponizing state power against legitimate political opposition. “I have always been very skeptical about party bans,” Merz stated in a recent interview. “It smells too much like an attempt to eliminate political competition.” His comments directly challenge the chorus of voices from within the left-liberal Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and even elements of his own Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who are agitating for an unprecedented move to ban the country’s most popular opposition party.

I have been a sharp critic of Chancellor Merz, who has made no proposal to replace the affordable energy no longer available from Russia, nor to reverse Germany's industrial crisis. On paper, Merz appears to be one more globalist thug positioned to run roughshod over the people they were elected to represent. This very welcome move to oppose the attempted delegitimization of AfD leaves me some hope that Germany can steer a better course.

This post was promoted to the Main Feed at the recommendation of Ricochet's members.

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    Percival@Percival·1y

    The CDU should stop and reflect that once the AfD is outlawed, they become the far right party.

    Slippery slopes don't suddenly get less slippery.

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    Sisyphus@Sisyphus·1y

    Here is how Die Welt (a top German news organization) framed the matter:

    After the AfD was classified as extreme right by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio spoke of „hidden tyranny “. Vice President J.D. Vance, who already at Germany Munich security conference in February Had accused democratic deficits.

    „We really have to reject such statements “, said the Chancellor of „Zeit “. „Germany has been freed from tyranny by the USA, Germany is stable, liberal and democratic today. We don't need a democracy tutoring lesson. That is why Vance's speech at the Munich Security Conference was perceived by many, including myself, as excessive. “ With „almost abusive “, the then candidate for chancellor had immediately after the speech already made a similar choice of words.

    However, Merz did not agree with the procedure of the protection of the constitution against the AfD. Merz said he was not happy with the procedure. The 69-year-old also spoke against one AfD ban procedure out. „It smells too much of political competition elimination “, said Merz.

    Clearly, Vance is squarely over the target and Merz is willing to adjust to the criticism while he denies the criticism. I have raised children, I get it.

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    Subcomandante America@TheReticulator·1y

    Merz wants to increase support of Ukraine, which is good. I wish him success.

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    Susan Quinn@SusanQuinn·1y

    A rational response from Merz! I'm surprised but pleased.

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    Chris O@ChrisO·1y

    It wasn't his decision. US intelligence was strictly instructed to engage in no intelligence-sharing efforts with German intelligence with regard to the AfD or any other German party. The pressure came from the German intelligence community to not mess up their relationship with the United States.

    In addition, the NGO's that were paying anti-AfD protestors suddenly don't have the money to pay them, and nobody is showing up for the protests. Just like that, a major domestic threat is suddenly not one.

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