The Monocle Daily Germany’s risky flirtation with the far-right
Jan 30, 2025
Marta Lorimer, a politics lecturer at Cardiff University, and Robin Lustig, a seasoned journalist and former presenter of The World Tonight, delve into Germany's political landscape. They discuss the controversial alliance between Friedrich Merz's party and the far-right AfD, weighing its potential risks and implications for centrist voters. The conversation also covers the challenges of fact-checking in a polarized media environment, the ongoing effects of historical biases, and the debate surrounding gender inclusion in traditional gentlemen's clubs.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Merz and Thatcher's Immigration Stance
- Friedrich Merz used AFD votes to pass an immigration resolution, echoing Margaret Thatcher's controversial immigration stance in the 1970s.
- Thatcher's use of the word "swamped", similar to the far-right National Front, proved effective in increasing Tory votes.
Co-opting Far-Right Policies
- Co-opting far-right policies does not win back voters and legitimizes extremist viewpoints.
- Voters rarely return to mainstream parties after voting far-right, and this strategy emboldens adversaries.
Cordon Sanitaire Failure
- The cordon sanitaire strategy against far-right parties is ineffective and unsustainable.
- It reinforces their narrative of suppression and eventually fails, as seen with the Freedom Party's electoral win.