"The Tick-Tick-Tock on the Clock" - Guttenberg: AfD's 35% could make Union the junior partner
Union's potential to be relegated to junior partner status, as indicated by AfD's 35% poll results, according to Guttenberg.
In a frank conversation with Spiegel, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the ex-economics and defense minister, contemplates a alliance between the Union parties (CDU/CSU) and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) post the next federal election. "I won't shut the door on it," he said, expressing his reservations yet open-mindedness.
According to Guttenberg's projection, the AfD could surge to a staggering 35% during the 2029 election, provided it fails to tackle the mounting challenges this new government confronts over the next two years and rebuilds public trust. However, he harbors hope that the AfD won't rise to such heights.
Guttenberg warns, "If this 35% possibility materializes, exclusion in the year 2029 can't be ruled out given the political climate of the time." In such a scenario, he foresees the Union parties as the junior partners. The upcoming years, he stresses, are crucial to avoid this unfavorable position. "The clock's a-ticking," he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "These next two years will be decisive. I believe the public's patience won't last longer than two years."
Currently, the AfD hovers at 25%, on par with the Union. The SPD trails with 15%, followed by the Greens (12%) and the Left (10%). The BSW and FDP remain at 3% each, as indicated by the survey.
Guttenberg yearns for "Honesty with the Public"
When questioned about reinstating conscription, Guttenberg replied candidly, "Yes, if we're also honest with the public about it." He believes that the government, particularly in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, should have reconsidered this decision in 2022, if not earlier in 2014.
Guttenberg defends his decision to suspend conscription during his tenure, noting the nation's inability to afford it due to the insistent cost-cutting measures by the federal chancellor and finance minister. Looking back, he admits that he would have preferred to maintain conscription, provided they managed to secure a 100 billion special fund. "I'd have done a few cartwheels," he conceded.
Source: ntv.de, mpa
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
- CDU
- CSU
- AfD
- German Bundestag
- Federal Government
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a former member of the CDU/CSU, has expressed concern over the potential alliance between his party and the Alternative for Germany (AfD) following the 2029 federal election, as he anticipates the AfD could reach a staggering 35%.
- Guttenberg has proposed that the Union parties, if they fail to address major challenges over the next two years and rebuild public trust, may find themselves as the junior partners in a coalition government with the AfD in 2029.
- He urges the current political landscape, particularly the Union parties, to focus on addressing societal issues and maintaining public trust to avoid exclusion in 2029.
- Discussing policy matters, Guttenberg emphasized that if the federal government were to reinstate conscription, it would have to be honest with the public about the implications and costs involved.
