Scholz slams far-right AfD cooperation as a threat to German democracy
Former Chancellor Olaf Scholz has spoken out strongly against any cooperation with the far-right AfD party. In a recent statement, he warned that forming a minority government with its support would be reckless for Germany’s future. Scholz also defended the long-standing political firewall against the AfD, calling it fully justified. Scholz argued that even discussing a CDU/CSU-led minority government backed by the AfD was irresponsible. He warned that such an arrangement could quickly turn into a full coalition, giving the AfD direct influence. His concerns stem from the party’s rhetoric, which he described as anti-pluralist—frequently invoking 'the people' while excluding certain groups.
The former chancellor also rejected claims that the AfD could be trusted in key areas. He stated the party was unfit to govern, not just in foreign policy, defence, or internal security, but across all fields. To support his stance, he pointed to past decisions: in 2005, the SPD and Greens refused to form a government with the Left Party, despite having the numbers. Similarly, in 2013, no attempt was made to include the Left Party after the black-yellow coalition collapsed. Scholz called current proposals for a minority government 'historically blind'. He stressed that the AfD’s ideology posed a direct threat to democratic principles, making any cooperation unacceptable.
Scholz’s remarks reinforce the existing political consensus against working with the AfD. He insists the party must remain excluded from power to protect Germany’s democratic values. His warnings highlight the risks of normalising a group he describes as fundamentally opposed to pluralism.
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