Merkel’s sharp condemnation of the AfD
In a recent interview with ZDF, the former German chancellor spoke with unflinching clarity about the AfD, calling the party a “dehumanizing party”. Merkel argued that the path the AfD has taken—from its beginnings during the Euro crisis to its later associations with the Pegida movement—has been shaped by a discourse grounded in exclusion and contempt for certain groups of people. She highlighted how the party first disappeared from public debate, only to reemerge in autumn 2014 by tapping into a climate of anger and disillusionment, where envy, hatred, and racism found footholds in public discourse.
From euro crisis origins to modern populism
Merkel noted that while frustrations exist and people in rural areas sometimes feel left behind, this does not justify voting for a party she views as undermining fundamental rights. She emphasized that the AfD’s narrative divides the population into “elites” and “the people,” a framing she said is incompatible with Germany’s Basic Law, which states that all power emanates from the people and that, legally, all citizens belong to the people. Her point was not simply about disagreements over policy, but about the underlying message that excludes portions of society from belonging.
A warning about the constitutional order
“All power comes from the people” and “the people are all German citizens” are cornerstones of Germany’s constitution. Merkel argued that the AfD’s approach—defining who belongs to the people and who does not—challenges those constitutional guarantees. She framed the party’s ideology as an affront to the principles that hold together a pluralist democracy, warning that populist tactics threaten the legal and normative framework that protects equal rights under the Basic Law.
Populism is not confined to a single region
Merkel argued that populist movements are not confined to the eastern or western parts of Germany. They appear in various forms across old and new federal states, and in other European nations such as France, as well as in North America. The risk, she said, is not just a regional phenomenon but a broader, continent-wide trend where simple, provocative messages attract attention and shape political debate more effectively than nuanced, evidence-based discourse.
The role of social media in spreading extremism
One of the central challenges Merkel identified is the way digital platforms reward the most radical messages with the highest engagement. “The sites that spread the most sensational content often receive the most clicks,” she observed. She urged policymakers to differentiate between truth and feelings and called for regulation of digital media to curb the unchecked spread of extremist rhetoric, stressing that public discourse should be grounded in verifiable information rather than sensationalism.
Refugees, 2015, and the AfD’s rise
As chancellor, Merkel opened Germany’s doors to hundreds of thousands of refugees in 2015, a decision encapsulated in the iconic phrase “Wir schaffen das” (We can do this). She acknowledged that this policy choice contributed to the political dynamics surrounding the AfD, a reflection on how humanitarian decisions intersect with domestic political currents. Merkel’s legacy on this issue continues to fuel debate, illustrating the complexity of balancing humanitarian commitments with the political consequences they may unleash.
Why Merkel’s message matters today
Merkel’s remarks resonate in a Europe grappling with rising populism and the ethical responsibilities of digital media. Her insistence on constitutional adherence, social cohesion, and regulatory measures for online platforms offers a framework for understanding current political tensions. The discussion underscores a broader challenge: how democracies can address legitimate grievances without yielding to rhetoric that devalues or excludes parts of the population.
