Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has issued yet another alarmist call, this time urging the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Greens to maintain their so-called “firewall” against the Alternative for Germany (AfD).
In an open letter, SPD leaders warned that any cooperation with the AfD would supposedly undermine democracy. However, this rhetoric seems less about protecting democracy and more about clinging to their waning influence in a political landscape that’s shifting in favor of parties willing to address real issues.
The SPD’s appeal, released on January 27, paints the AfD as a “force hostile to the Constitution” and pushes the narrative that any collaboration with them amounts to a betrayal of democracy. “The firewall between democratic and undemocratic parties must not be allowed to waver,” they wrote, a dramatic claim that conveniently ignores the fact that the AfD is a fully legal political party with significant electoral support.
By framing the AfD as a threat to democracy, the SPD is trying to stifle legitimate political discourse and delegitimize the voices of millions of Germans who support the AfD’s platform. Instead of addressing voter concerns about migration, border security, and national sovereignty, the SPD resorts to fearmongering, further alienating those who feel abandoned by the political establishment.
The SPD leaders highlighted what they see as “cracks in the firewall” at the municipal level, where cooperation between the AfD and other parties has already begun. What they fail to acknowledge is that these collaborations often arise because the AfD’s policies resonate with local communities, particularly on issues like crime and migration.
Recent incidents, such as migrant-led crimes in Magdeburg and Aschaffenburg, have understandably fueled public frustration. The SPD’s refusal to engage with these issues head-on only strengthens the appeal of parties like the AfD, which offer practical solutions rather than ideological platitudes.
As the SPD rails against the AfD’s supposed “radicalization,” they ignore their own growing disconnect from ordinary Germans. This desperate clinging to the “firewall” narrative is a sign of a party that fears losing its grip on power, not one that genuinely cares about democracy.
At the heart of this debate are two important votes in the Bundestag: one on border control and another on the CDU/CSU’s proposed “Law to Limit the Illegal Influx of Third-Country Nationals.” These proposals aim to address the pressing issue of unchecked migration, a topic that the SPD has largely avoided or mishandled.
Reports suggest the CDU could pass both measures with support from the AfD, BSW, and FDP. If this happens, it would mark a turning point in German politics, breaking the artificial cordon sanitaire that has kept the AfD isolated. Such a shift would be a victory for democracy, allowing diverse viewpoints to shape policy rather than being suppressed by outdated political taboos.
The SPD’s frantic warnings against working with the AfD aren’t about protecting democracy—they’re about protecting their own political relevance. Their letter claims, “Our colleagues from eastern Germany have demonstrated the importance of this stance in recent months.” Yet, in many eastern regions, the AfD has already overtaken the SPD as a leading political force, a clear sign that voters are rejecting the SPD’s elitist and dismissive approach.
Rather than engaging with the AfD on policy issues, the SPD resorts to moralizing and fear tactics, refusing to recognize the legitimate concerns of the electorate. By clinging to this divisive “firewall” rhetoric, the SPD is only deepening political polarization and alienating voters who feel unheard.
As Germany approaches its February 23 federal elections, the CDU’s tougher stance on immigration reflects a growing alignment with the AfD’s platform, signaling that the political winds are changing. The SPD’s inability to adapt to this reality only underscores their irrelevance in the face of parties willing to tackle the challenges facing Germany head-on.
The time has come to move past outdated taboos and allow for open collaboration between parties, including the AfD, to address the pressing issues of migration, security, and national sovereignty. If the SPD continues to cling to its “firewall” narrative, it risks being left behind in a political landscape that’s increasingly shaped by parties willing to listen to the concerns of everyday Germans.
