Proposal for a directive remains undecided by the Commission.
In a recent interview during the CSU party conference, Markus Söder, the chairman of the Christian Social Union (CSU), expressed his opposition to a potential Black-Green coalition between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP).
Söder's metaphor, "Black-green is, forgive me for saying so, a dead, a lame horse that won't run in Germany," indicates his strong opposition to such an alliance. His stance aligns with skepticism towards the Greens and any coalition that might empower the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).
The CSU leader's opposition to the Black-Green coalition is rooted in two main concerns. Firstly, Söder shares the CDU leader Friedrich Merz's view that cooperation with the AfD is akin to "selling the soul" of their party. Both leaders have presented a united front resisting alliances that could inadvertently strengthen the AfD by fracturing the conservative vote or pushing centrists away.
Secondly, Söder has long been critical of the Greens' policies, particularly on climate, migration, and social issues, which the CSU often considers too radical or unrealistic for Bavaria and conservative voters. This ideological difference fuels Söder's resistance to a Black-Green coalition.
Politically, Söder's positioning as a centre-right leader puts him at odds with the Greens’ progressive agenda, making coalition cooperation difficult. His opposition likely reflects efforts to maintain conservative dominance in Bavaria and at the federal level.
The AfD, FDP, and Green Party are other political parties in Germany, alongside the CSU and CDU. The opposition to a Black-Green coalition by Söder contradicts positions within the sister party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who have not ruled out the possibility of such a coalition.
In summary, Söder's opposition to the Black-Green coalition can be understood as a stance aimed at preventing fragmentation of the conservative electorate and cautiousness against empowering extremist parties like the AfD. This reflects broader CDU/CSU concerns about voter alignment and political stability.
[1] The Local, "CSU leader Markus Söder rules out black-green coalition," 15th October 2020,
- Söder's opposition to the Black-Green coalition, as expressed in his metaphor, reveals his skepticism towards a political alliance that could potentially strengthen the AfD, a party he views as radical or extremist.
- In the context of policy-and-legislation, Söder's opposition to a Black-Green coalition may impact general-news discussions about potential future political alliances, as the Greens' environmental, immigration, and social policies often clash with the more conservative stance of the CSU.
