CRITICISM FROM US
Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the AfD will enter government despite its strong showing in the polls, said observers.
Germany’s mainstream parties have long maintained a so-called firewall agreement between them – that is, a pledge not to partner or work with the AfD.
But in recent days, that pledge has faced some criticism from unexpected quarters.
In a speech at the Munich Security Conference on Feb 14, United States Vice President JD Vance shocked much of the German political establishment with a forceful attack on the practice.
“Democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters. There’s no room for firewalls. You either uphold the principal or you don’t,” said Vance, who was sworn into the White House last month.
“Europeans, the people, have a voice. European leaders have a choice and my strong belief is that we do not need to be afraid of the future, you can embrace what your people tell you even when it’s surprising even when you don’t agree,” he added.
Vance’s comments also came after billionaire Elon Musk, a key figure in US President Donald Trump’s White House, publicly declared his support for the AfD.
This unprecedented intervention by a longstanding ally into German domestic affairs garnered a strong rebuke from Chancellor Scholz the following day, who said the country will not accept it if outsiders intervene in their democracy and elections.
He added: “That’s just not done, certainly not amongst friends and allies. We resolutely reject this.”
