EU's International Diplomacy Approach
In an exclusive interview with SWR Aktuell, Markus Frohnmaier, co-state chairman of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Baden-Württemberg, criticised the CDU for their policies affecting trade, the automobile industry, defense, and related areas.
The interview, conducted by Stephanie Haiber on August 6, 2025, was part of the SWR Aktuell summer interviews series. Frohnmaier shared personal insights, including his experience with a heart attack at 27 due to stress, his career in politics, and his academic background. The interview is available on various SWR channels, including television, radio, online, and social media.
Regarding trade, the AfD generally advocates for protecting German and European industries through trade barriers or tariffs to safeguard domestic jobs. They criticise the CDU's more open trade stance, which they believe encourages investments and international cooperation but can harm local businesses.
On the topic of the Baden-Württemberg automobile industry, the AfD is critical of the federal government's handling, accusing it of neglecting the traditional automobile sector, which is vital in Baden-Württemberg. They emphasise defending and revitalising the industry as a key part of Germany’s economic future, warning of job losses and decline due to global competition and insufficient support.
In terms of defense, the AfD supports reinstating compulsory military service to strengthen Germany’s defense capabilities. This position is part of their broader critique of current defense policies, which they view as underfunded or insufficient to meet security needs amid geopolitical tensions.
Concerning Nord Stream 2, the AfD strongly supports the pipeline project as a strategic energy cooperation with Russia to secure Germany's energy supply and reduce dependence on other volatile suppliers. They criticise the CDU and other mainstream parties for succumbing to US and EU pressures to halt or dismantle Nord Stream 2, seeing such moves as harming Germany’s economic and energy interests.
The interview is now available on various SWR channels, and photos from the interviews can be found on ARD-Foto.de. For press inquiries, contact Ursula Foelsch at 0711 929 11034 or [email protected]. Subscribe to the "SWR connected" Newsletter for updates. The "SWR Aktuell summer interviews" will be available on www.ardmediathek.de after broadcasting.
[1] Frohnmaier's stance on trade and industry: [Source] [2] Frohnmaier's stance on defense and Nord Stream 2: [Source] [3] The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the AfD as a "right-wing extremist suspect case.": [Source] [4] The next SWR Aktuell summer interview in Baden-Württemberg is yet to be scheduled: [Source] [5] The AfD wants to reverse the combustion engine ban and fly to Russia to talk about Nord Stream: [Source]
Policy-and-legislation wise, Frohnmaier, the co-state chairman of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Baden-Württemberg, criticized the CDU for their policies on trade, the automobile industry, defense, and related areas in an exclusive interview with SWR Aktuell on August 6, 2025. His stance on trade and industry can be found here. On the other hand, concerning defense and Nord Stream 2, Frohnmaier strongly supported these positions as part of the AfD's broader critique, as detailed in the interview here.
