Merkel Calls AfD a Dehumanizing Party in a ZDF Interview
In a recent ZDF interview, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel labeled the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a “dehumanizing party”. She linked the party’s emergence to the eurozone crisis, noting that it briefly faded from public attention before resurfacing in 2014, drawing on the rhetoric of the Pegida movement. Merkel recalled that during that period, envy, hatred, and racism were visible in public discourse, warning that such currents can be corrosive to democracy.
Merkel stressed that discontent with politics and the feeling of needing to evolve should not translate into support for a party she describes as fundamentally at odds with the German constitution. She argued that the AfD’s framing of society into “elites” and a supposed “people” excludes large segments of the population and conflicts with the Grundgesetz, which she reminded viewers declares that all power derives from the people and that the people are all German citizens.
The Rise and Reach of populist Movements
Beyond Germany, Merkel observed that populist currents are not confined to the newest eastern states; they exist in rural regions of the old federation as well and have echoes across Europe and in parts of the United States. She cautioned that social and economic frustrations do not justify voting for movements that threaten democratic norms, as populism can resurface in different forms, including in Western Europe and North America.
Merkel also highlighted the role of social media in amplifying radical messages. She noted that the online environment often rewards the most sensational, urgent, and extreme claims, which can distort perceptions of truth and fact. This, she argued, makes it essential to distinguish between emotions and verifiable information and to consider regulating digital platforms to ensure healthier public discourse.
2015 Refugee Crisis and Its Political Aftermath
The interview touched on Merkel’s decision in 2015 to open Germany’s borders to a large influx of refugees, a policy that earned the famous line “Wir schaffen das” —
