SPD finds it abnormal to engage with AfD in standard politics
In a strong statement made on Wednesday, SPD General Secretary Matthias Miersch voiced his opposition to normalizing relations with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Miersch raised several concerns about engaging with the right-wing populist group, citing ideological differences, threats to democratic norms, and the potential mainstreaming of extremism.
- Ideological Differences: Miersch argues that the AfD's political positions and rhetoric are fundamentally incompatible with the democratic and social values upheld by parties like the SPD.
- Threat to Democratic Norms: He warns that treating the AfD as a standard political actor risks legitimizing extremist or nationalist views, which could undermine Germany’s democratic norms and social cohesion.
- Preventing Mainstreaming of Extremism: By refusing normalization, Miersch aims to prevent the AfD from gaining greater mainstream acceptance, which could embolden anti-democratic tendencies and threaten the political centre.
- Protecting Political Discourse: Miersch suggests that normalizing relations might lower the quality and civility of political discourse, as the AfD often employs provocative rhetoric that challenges respectful debate.
Miersch's stance is rooted in a commitment to safeguarding democratic values and preventing the political legitimization of a party he views as divisive and potentially harmful to Germany’s political stability.
In light of past incidents, Miersch emphasized the need for vigilance when dealing with the AfD. He specifically mentioned the case of Stephan Brandner, an AfD member of parliament who was criticized for abusing his position as chairman of the legal committee.
The AfD's history of questionable behaviour by its members of parliament is a factor to consider when allocating parliamentary positions, according to Miersch. He stated that the members of parliament are responsible for deciding whom to entrust with these positions, but careful consideration is required due to potential abuse.
Miersch finds Jens Spahn's proposal for establishing normality to be fundamentally wrong and very dangerous. He added that there can be no normality with the AfD. His comments suggest a need for continued scrutiny of the AfD, given their past actions and the potential risks they pose to Germany’s democratic institutions.
Despite these concerns, no specific rulings of the Federal Constitutional Court were mentioned in the provided context. The CDU was not directly mentioned in the current paragraph, but was previously associated with Jens Spahn, who received criticism from Matthias Miersch.
In the context of policy-and-legislation, Miersch maintains that the AfD's political behavior should prompt careful consideration in allocating parliamentary positions due to potential abuse. He also points out that Jens Spahn's proposal for normalization with the AfD is not only wrong but also dangerous, emphasizing the need for continued scrutiny. This plays out against the backdrop of general-news involving the AfD, specifically the case of Stephan Brandner, who was criticized for abusing his position as chairman of the legal committee.
