The leader of the parliamentary group of the conservative bloc of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) in Germany, Jens Spahn, today categorically ruled out the possibility of any cooperation, both with the far-right party “Alternative for Germany“ (AfD) and with the party “The Left“, DPA reported, BTA reported.
In his speech at the CDU national conference in Stuttgart, Spahn accused “The Left“ of having among its prominent members those who “hate Jews“, as well as of the party continuing to include socialism in its program.
He also sharply criticized the far-right AfD for its closeness with Russia and that it practices clientelism. "They have completely lost their way," he said.
Sphan launched personal attacks on the leader of the "Left" parliamentary group, Heidi Reichinek, comparing her to the former leader of communist East Germany, Erich Honecker. "Ultimately, with Comrade Reichinek it will be no better than with Comrade Honecker," he said.
Referring to a recent scandal in which AfD deputies had hired members of their families as assistants, Spahn said: "This is clientelism, betrayal of the homeland, betrayal of the taxpayer."
At its 2018 party conference, the CDU also ruled out coalitions and "similar forms of cooperation" with the "Left" and the AfD. The two-day conference comes at the start of a busy election year for the CDU, with five state elections in March and September.
Yesterday, the party united behind Chancellor Friedrich Merz, re-electing him as party chairman with a large majority of 91.17% - his second best result.
Current opinion polls show the AfD ahead of the conservatives in two eastern German states.