Friedrich Merz maintains the 'political firewall' against the AfD despite rising popularity of the far-right party
Chancellor Friedrich Merz continues to uphold the 'political firewall'—a strict boundary intended to prevent cooperation with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. While the AfD has become the strongest party in national polls, the firewall serves as a mechanism to safeguard democracy by isolating the far-right group from mainstream government responsibility. However, the firewall's effectiveness is being challenged by the AfD's rapid growth and radicalization. Critics argue that the firewall has failed to keep the party small, and instead, it has allowed the AfD to adopt more radical positions without the risk of governing. Analysts suggest that the firewall could serve as a stop-gap until a formal party ban is initiated. Alternatively, some experts propose making the firewall conditional, requiring the AfD to moderate its positions before mainstream parties grant them a seat at the table. As the AfD nears an absolute majority in Saxony-Anhalt, the pressure on the firewall remains high, forcing mainstream parties to consider more flexible, interest-based engagement with the other far-right force.