Bergisch Gladbach CDU faces backlash for quietly cooperating with far-right AfD
The Bergisch for Democracy and Diversity (DeVi) association has criticised the local CDU in Bergisch Gladbach for working with the AfD in city council votes. This comes despite the CDU's repeated promises to maintain a strict firewall against the far-right party. The group argues that such cooperation undermines democratic principles and contradicts the CDU's public anti-racism stance. DeVi highlighted a clear inconsistency in the CDU's actions. While the party has taken part in anti-racism events—like raising the banner 'Bergisch Gladbach – No Place for Racism' at city hall—it has also relied on AfD votes to pass certain resolutions. The CDU holds 27 seats in the 73-member council, with two additional seats from their FDP coalition partners. Together, they fall short of the 37 votes needed for a secure majority, leading to occasional collaboration with the AfD.
Roland Vossebrecker, a DeVi representative, stressed that majorities should only be formed with democratic parties. Board member Judith Winterscheid called the CDU's behaviour a breach of democratic norms. DeVi has urged all democratic factions in the council to stick firmly to their agreement of keeping the AfD at arm's length. The association maintains an online presence at www.gl-devi.de and can be followed on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok under the handle @gl.de.vi.
The controversy places the CDU's anti-racism commitments under scrutiny. DeVi's call for consistency means future council decisions will likely face closer examination. The group continues to push for a united front among democratic parties to exclude the AfD from any political cooperation.
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