"Esken on AfD and SPD's Response: A Unified Front Against the Rise of the Far-Right"
- SPD head, Esken, remarks on AfD poll ratings: Bitter pill for us too
In the latest polls, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Christian Democrats (CDU) have tied for the top spot - a significant shift in Germany's political landscape[1]. To counter this rise, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), represented by leaders like Saskia Esken and Manuela Schwesig, is focusing on forming a unified front against extremism.
Esken, on the political talk show "Early Start," emphasized the need for swift action with the funds agreed for infrastructure. She stopped short of commiting to a timeline, stating that progress would be swift once negotiations resume post-Sunday[2].
Schwesig, the Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, labeled the AfD's gains as "alarming" and "depressing." In line with her party's strategy, she emphasized the need for a focus on economic security and job stability as key countermeasures against the AfD's influence[2].
The SPD also aims to engage directly with the AfD regarding the potential US trade tariffs threatening Germany's economy. Given the AfD's support for US President Donald Trump, this approach challenges the far-right party's endorsement of protectionist policies[2].
The SPD's strategy involves not only countering the AfD's rise but also addressing the concerns of voters through comprehensive policies and coalition-building. The party faces an internal challenge as well, with a decline in their vote share in the February elections[2]. Yet, the high voter turnout indicates a heightened engagement with politics, a factor the SPD hopes to leverage by offering a clear alternative to the AfD's agenda.
- AfD
- Saskia Esken
- SPD
- Poll result
- Manuela Schwesig
- RTL
- Sunday
[1] The rise of the far-right AfD party in Germany: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-afd-tied-with-cdu-in-first-poll-since-eastern-elections/a-55933101[2] The rise of the AfD and SPD's response: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-spd-says-needs-more-clarity-from-coalition-partners-plica-2021-05-18/[3] The SPD-CDU coalition: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cdus-spd-sign-grand-coalition-deal-ahead-of-key-anniversary-vote/a-46575720
- Saskia Esken, the chairwoman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), expressed concern over the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, stating, "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I can do this," in reference to countering the AfD's influence.
- During an interview on RTL's "Early Start" political talk show, Manuela Schwesig, the Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and an SPD leader, characterized the AfD's gains as bitter tariffs on the political landscape of Germany.
- As a response to the recent poll results and the rise of the AfD, the SPD plans to engage directly with the far-right party regarding the potential US trade tariffs, aiming to counter their protectionist policies.
