With the rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the polls and security as dominant issues, the confidential two-day meeting of the Christian Democratic Party (CDU) presidium under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been taking place since yesterday, Sunday.

“If we govern successfully, there will be no need for the so-called “alternative“”, said Mr. Mertz and emphasized that his party fundamentally different from the AfD. However, he avoided talking about a “firewall” against the extreme rightwhile he did not retract his statement about “urban landscape» in German cities which is affected by the strong presence of immigrants.

“The AfD is our main opponent. He wants to destroy the CDU. We take up this challenge and must remain the dominant political force. We distance ourselves clearly and categorically. We differ not only in details, but fundamentally. Above all, however, it is important to deal with it with successful government work, and this is not the task of the CDU alone. If we govern successfully together (with the SPD), there will be no so-called “alternative solution” for Germany.” said Friedrich Merz, in an interim report of the ongoing meeting of his party’s leadership. He even stressed that the CDU will highlight its differences with the AfD at every opportunity, claiming victory in the 2026 state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, where recent polls they even give 40% to the far right against 26% of the CDU, in Berlin, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, but refrained from repeating his party’s position of ruling out any cooperation with the AfD even at the local level. However, he stated categorically that there is no possibility of joint CDU-AfD candidates.

Asked about his recent statement about “urban landscape» in German cities, which is burdened by the intense presence of immigrantsMr. Mertz refused to remodel. “Do you have daughters?”asked the reporter who asked the question. “The women feel more and more insecure on cities. So I have nothing to retract. Anyone who sees the issue in their daily life knows that I am right with this comment, which I am making not for the first time and not for the last.”the chancellor added.

Referring to security issues that preoccupy Germany, Mr. Merz said that the CDU meeting would produce the “Berlin Declaration,” a security agenda against major threats from drones, sabotage and cyber attackswhich the party will seek to promote at the national and state level. “People in Germany are worried and especially hybrid attacks in our country are increasing,” noted.

With an eye on the economy, the chancellor argued that “there are the first signs of recovery”, he admitted however that this is not enough, while he acknowledged mistakes of the government coalition in communication and assured that the government partners “are not fighting, although many times they give that image”.