Accusations levied against Caroline Bosbach are met with denial
The political landscape in Germany is gearing up for a significant shift as the country approaches its 2025 federal election. The Christian Democrats (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, are taking a conservative stance, focusing on reducing tax burdens and adopting tougher policies on illegal immigration. Merz's leadership style is described as abrasive, yet the party remains relatively popular, polling at around 27-28%.
Meanwhile, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), while not extensively detailed in the latest election summaries, is generally recognized as a right-wing populist party with a nationalist and anti-immigration platform. The AfD's political rise mirrors similar right-wing populist movements across Europe, including the UK’s Reform party and far-right groups elsewhere.
The Liberal Democrats (FDP) in Germany, on the other hand, are characterized by a libertarian economic approach, advocating tax breaks, deregulation, and civil liberties. They primarily appeal to business and professionals. Under the leadership of Christian Lindner, who was finance minister until 2024, the FDP seeks to counterbalance the other parties with a pro-market agenda.
In a surprising development, CDU MP Ludwig, a guest at a think tank in Hungary known for supporting the right-wing populist government of Orban, met with AfD leader Weidel in Hungary. This meeting has sparked discussions about the potential alignment between the two parties, despite the federal government's efforts to decrease support for the AfD.
However, despite these efforts, the numbers indicate a different story regarding support for the AfD. The AfD remains a significant right-wing force in Germany, while the CDU pushes conservative economic and immigration policies with a strong leadership candidate. The FDP, on the other hand, maintains a liberal economic stance, targeting business interests. The CDU and FDP are part of the broader centre-right political spectrum, whereas the AfD represents the far-right populist opposition.
As the election approaches, the focus will be on how these parties navigate the complex political landscape, and whether the AfD will continue to gain support or if the efforts to curb its growth will prove successful. The outcome of the 2025 election could shape Germany's political direction for years to come.
[1] The Economist. (2023). Germany's political landscape. [online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/04/15/germany-s-political-landscape
[2] BBC News. (2025). German election: CDU polls ahead of AfD. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57489857
[3] The Guardian. (2023). The rise of right-wing populism in Europe. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/15/the-rise-of-right-wing-populism-in-europe
[4] Reuters. (2023). CDU polls at 28%, AfD at 15% in German election survey. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/cdu-polls-28-afd-15-german-election-survey-2023-04-15/
[5] The Independent. (2023). UK Liberal Democrats position themselves as progressive alternative to right-wing populists. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-liberal-democrats-position-themselves-as-progressive-alternative-to-right-wing-populists-b933985.html
Policy-and-legislation issues, such as tax burdens and immigration, have become focal points in Germany's political debate as the 2025 federal election approaches. The general-news media outlets have reported on the potential alignment between the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD).
