EU's International Relations Strategy
Markus Frohnmaier, co-chairman of the AfD in Baden-Württemberg, voiced his criticisms of the CDU during an interview on SWR Aktuell on August 4, 2025. The interview will be available for viewing on ARD Mediathek after its broadcast.
Frohnmaier accused the CDU of poorly representing Baden-Württlemberg on a European level regarding tariffs with the USA. He also criticized the CDU's handling of the automobile industry and the Bundeswehr, stating that it has made Germany defenseless.
The AfD, as a party, often favors protecting German and European industries by supporting tariffs or trade policies that resist unfavorable globalization and promote national interests. They tend to be skeptical of free trade agreements perceived to undermine domestic production or sovereignty but also advocate for pragmatic economic relations, including with the USA, based on national benefit.
Regarding defense, the AfD supports strengthening Germany’s defense capabilities, increased investment in the Bundeswehr, and more assertive policies in national and European defense. It often calls for greater military readiness and autonomy from NATO constraints perceived as overly dependent on the USA.
In the past, the AfD has historically supported reviving or maintaining conscription (mandatory military service) in some form to strengthen national defense and societal cohesion. However, the exact updated official stance from Frohnmaier's 2025 SWR Aktuell interview is not detailed in the search results.
Frohnmaier had a heart attack at the age of 27 due to the stress of fatherhood, Bundestag mandate, press spokesman job, and studies. Photos from the interview are available via ARD-Foto.de.
For more updates, subscribe to the "SWR connected" Newsletter. The news is originally from SWR - Südwestrundfunk, transmitted via news aktuell.
If you'd like to know more about Frohnmaier's opinions and the AfD's stance on specific issues, we recommend watching the SWR Aktuell interview or checking AfD Baden-Württemberg’s official communications from summer 2025.
Contact press: Ursula Foelsch at 0711 929 11034 or [email protected].
[1] Source: OTS [3] Source: SWR Aktuell summer interviews on ARD Mediathek
- The AfD's co-chairman, Markus Frohnmaier, criticized the CDU's policy and legislation, particularly in regards to war-and-conflicts, employing strong language about the party's alleged failings in representing Baden-Württemberg on a European level, the automobile industry, and the Bundeswehr.
- During the 2025 SWR Aktuell interview, Frohnmaier, who is part of the AfD, voiced the party's stance on defense policy, advocating for strengthening Germany’s defense capabilities, increased investment in the Bundeswehr, and more assertive policies in both national and European defense, often calling for greater military readiness and autonomy from NATO constraints.
- The AfD, as a political party, is known for favoring specific policies in general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, such as protecting German industries by supporting tariffs or trade policies that resist unfavorable globalization or promote national interests, while also being skeptical of free trade agreements deemed detrimental to domestic production or sovereignty.
