CDU Politician Engages in Distant Talks with AfD Union
In a surprising turn of events, Saskia Ludwig, a prominent politician from Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), attended the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC) festival in Hungary on August 1. The MCC is a right-wing think tank known for its association with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and for importing ideas from right-wing publicists in the USA [1].
During the festival, Ludwig participated in a panel discussion alongside Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Ludwig's remarks suggested a potential openness to working with the AfD politically, a stance that is contrary to the CDU's traditional rejection of cooperation with the far-right party [1][4].
This interaction has sparked renewed criticism and internal reprimands within the CDU, reflecting concerns over the party's positioning relative to right-wing populist and nationalist forces in Germany. The CDU has a clear party conference resolution that rules out coalitions with the AfD, a stance reiterated by CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who has made it clear that there will be no cooperation with the AfD under his leadership [4].
The festival was notable for its alignment with Orbán's government, which supports nationalist and authoritarian policies, and the MCC has received significant state backing and corporate sponsorship from companies linked to Orbán’s regime. This corporate sponsorship of an event that promotes authoritarian politics has been described as “deeply worrying” by critics. Ludwig’s participation in such a forum thus has broader political implications, suggesting a potential softening of CDU boundaries toward far-right collaboration and raising questions about the normalization of authoritarian-aligned political networking within mainstream German politics [1].
The CDU's Brandenburg state association, where Ludwig serves, also has a resolution that rules out coalitions with the AfD. However, Ludwig's past remarks, including speaking out against a firewall with the AfD and showing openness to a "center-right coalition," have sparked criticism [4].
The Green Youth is demanding the exclusion of Ludwig from the CDU's parliamentary group, and the CDU faction in the Bundestag has distanced itself from Ludwig's participation in the MCC festival. The CDU's General Secretary Gordon Hoffmann of the CDU Brandenburg does not see a slight majority for any change in this resolution [4].
This incident highlights a notable instance of CDU’s internal tensions over cooperation with the far-right AfD. It also underscores the political sensitivity and potential fallout from such associations, as the CDU faces pressure both from the right and from centrist or left opposition parties.
Notably, Ludwig defended her attendance at the festival, stating that free exchange of opinions is a central element of a democratic society. Other notable guests at the MCC festival included tech billionaire Peter Thiel, known for his right-wing conservative positions. However, the University of Potsdam has recently suspected plagiarism in Ludwig's own doctoral thesis [4].
References: [1] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/cdu-politikerin-saskia-ludwig-teilnimmt-an-rechts-seiten-festival-in-ungarn-a-2023278.html [4] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/cdu-politikerin-saskia-ludwig-kritisiert-afd-koalition-spd-und-gruene-fordern-aus-partei-a-23522918
- The panel discussion at the Mathias Corvinus Collegium festival, featuring Saskia Ludwig and Alice Weidel, has stirred debate within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) about their policy-and-legislation stance regarding cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
- The CDU's General Secretary Gordon Hoffmann has mentioned that he does not see a significant shift in the CDU's resolution on coalitions with the AfD, despite internal criticism and external pressure following Saskia Ludwig's participation in the MCC festival, which is associated with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and controversial politics.
