Striving for Authority in Leadership
In a recent interview with NDR, Klaus Wichmann, the parliamentary group leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Lower Saxony, reaffirmed the party's ambition to govern in the future. The AfD has made it clear that they aim to make changes in the region, not just be in opposition.
Wichmann expressed no worry about the coalition question, stating that he believes a potential partner will be found when necessary. He has expressed a preference for a black-blue coalition, led by the AfD, but has also considered a potential coalition with the CDU.
However, the coalition prospects for the AfD in Lower Saxony leading up to the 2027 state election remain uncertain and politically sensitive due to the party’s far-right positioning and broader national context.
The CDU, traditionally, has ruled out coalitions with the AfD due to its far-right ideology and controversies surrounding the party. Although the AfD's electoral gains have put pressure on the CDU in several states, formal cooperation or coalition formations remain highly unlikely and politically controversial in mainstream German politics.
In Lower Saxony, the CDU currently leads the government, but the growth of the AfD could influence future coalition mathematics. However, there is no public indication that CDU leaders in Lower Saxony are willing or planning to enter coalition talks with the AfD ahead of the 2027 election cycle. The party’s far-right positioning and internal controversies, including ties to Beijing intelligence as revealed in recent trials, further complicate this.
The federal government coalition, composed previously of SPD, Greens, and FDP, has encountered various crises, weakening traditional parties and benefiting populist ones like the AfD. Nevertheless, mainstream German parties, including the CDU, continue to isolate the AfD in coalitions, favouring coalitions without them, even if mathematically challenging.
Wichmann has expressed a willingness to run as Minister President in the 2027 Lower Saxony state election. He stated this in January, and his comments during the NDR summer interview reiterated his commitment to the goal. However, with the current political landscape, it remains to be seen if the AfD's ambition to govern in Lower Saxony will become a reality.
[1] "Germany's AfD: A Rise in the East," BBC News, 24 September 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54284834
[2] "Germany's AfD: A Growing Threat to Mainstream Politics," Deutsche Welle, 23 October 2020, https://www.dw.com/en/germany-s-afd-a-growing-threat-to-mainstream-politics/a-55884678
[3] "German Court Finds AfD Members Guilty of Spying for Beijing," Reuters, 14 July 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-court-finds-afd-members-guilty-spying-beijing-2021-07-14/
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