"The Heat is on: Guttenberg on the Union's Potential Partnership with AfD"
Union's Potential to Become Secondary Partner Strengthened by AfD's 35% Support (Guttenberg)
In the political arena, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) continues to gain momentum, recently polling at 25%, alongside the Union parties. This trend has former Minister Guttenberg contemplating a potential partnership between the Union and AfD post the next federal election.
During an interview with Spiegel, Guttenberg expressed his reservations but didn't completely rule out the possibility, stating, "I can't say no." If AfD manages to secure a staggering 35% in the 2029 election, Guttenberg anticipates it might be hard to ignore.
Guttenberg, a CDU member, emphasized that only if the AfD fails to address crucial issues successfully within the new government and regain the people's trust would such a coalition be a possibility. However, he expressed his hope that the AfD won't escalate to such proportions.
Political strategists have speculated about potential coalitions if AfD's influence continues to grow. The current coalition, consisting of the CDU/CSU and the SPD, might face challenges due to AfD's rise. Other potential alliances include a CDU/CSU and Greens partnership or a CDU/CSU and FDP coalition, assuming the FDP regains strength.
Guttenberg also discussed the potential reintroduction of conscription. He expressed that it could be a viable option if coupled with honesty towards the public. He regrets the suspension of conscription under his tenure, citing financial constraints and a unilateral decision by the Federal Chancellor and Finance Minister as the reasons.
Subsequent to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Guttenberg believes that a shift in policy regarding conscription was necessary. He suggests that the decision should have been reconsidered in 2014 and 2022.
- Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
- CDU
- CSU
- AfD
- German Bundestag
- Federal Government
Fun fact:
Did you know that the Alternative for Germany (AfD) was founded in 2013, primarily as a Euroskeptic party, opposed to the European bailout programs?
Sources: ntv.de, mpa
[1] Guttenberg expresses reservations about a coalition with the AfD, acknowledging the possibility (ntv.de, 2023)[2] Election results for 2025: CDU/CSU gains the strongest result with 28.5% of the vote, and the AfD achieves a historic second-strongest result with 16.4% of the vote (statista.com, 2026)[3] CDU/CSU rules out forming a government with the AfD (dw.com, 2025)
- The prospect of a partnership between the Union parties and the Alternative for Germany (AfD), particularly if AfD secures a significant 35% in the 2029 German Bundestag election, is being contemplated by former Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a CDU member.
- During an interview with Spiegel, Guttenberg emphasized that such a coalition would only be a possibility if the AfD addresses crucial issues successfully within the new government and regains the people's trust.
- Guttenberg also discussed the potential reintroduction of conscription, expressing that it could be a viable option if coupled with honesty towards the public.
- With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Guttenberg believes that a shift in policy regarding conscription was necessary, suggesting that the decision should have been reconsidered in 2014 and 2022.
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