STUTTGART (dpa-AFX) – In the SWR three-way debate on the state elections in Baden-Württemberg, the top candidates from the Greens and CDU formed a common front against the representative of the AfD for a long time. The Green Cem Özdemir sharply attacked the AfD’s top candidate Markus Frohnmaier on migration policy. In the end, the migrants are to blame for the AfD, said Özdemir. CDU leader Manuel Hagel categorically ruled out any collaboration between his party and the AfD. “They will bite their teeth into us.”
AfD frontman Frohnmaier, in turn, repeatedly accused his opponents of failing in government responsibility. “Both of you rule: you would have the opportunity at any time to implement everything that you announced and understood this evening,” he said. The live debate revolved around, among other things, the economic situation, migration and the Health policy.
Hagel to the AfD: We will protect our country from you
Hagel used the stage to differentiate himself: “My Christian Democratic Party will never form a coalition or cooperate with the AfD Germany.” Collaboration is also impossible because of their view of humanity, emphasized Hagel – and referred to a statement by AfD co-chair Emil Sätze, who said about CSU leader Markus Söder: “I mean, Söder is not only physically disabled, sometimes mentally too. (…) But we let him live – he is always funny.” Hagel concluded that in the AfD there was obviously a connection between disability and the question of who was allowed to live. “We will protect our country and the people of our country from you,” he said.
Frohnmaier clearly rejected the accusation. “We as the AfD do not devalue people with handicaps, with disabilities,” he said. He would love his two children just as much if they had disabilities.
Özdemir is looking for proximity to the CDU
Özdemir was hardly confrontational towards Hagel – and spoke right from the start about forming a coalition. “My goal is to conduct the election campaign in such a way that on the day after the election, when we might have coalition talks, we don’t have to apologize to each other first, but rather treat each other decently.” You are a competitor, but not an enemy. “And so I want to lead the election campaign to the end. Anything else only strengthens radical forces.” And therefore “neither of us should have any interest in it,” he said in the direction of Hagel.
Polls: Black-green alliance possible
The state elections will take place on March 8th. According to surveys, the most likely government constellation is a black-green alliance. Incumbent Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) is no longer running. The CDU is currently by far the strongest force in surveys, even if the Greens are catching up with voters. The AfD is in third place. It is likely to become the strongest opposition force – no other party wants to form a coalition with it. The other parties are clearly lagging behind.
The SWR broadcast was the only direct meeting between Hagel, Özdemir and Frohnmaier in this constellation. There was a lot of criticism of the format. Dozens of demonstrators protested at the recording site. One organizer said that one should not unthinkingly offer a platform to an “anti-democrat who would like to abolish the station.”
FDP is suing the format
Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) also criticized the AfD politician’s invitation. “There’s no way he’s going to be prime minister,” he explained. The broadcaster argues with the principle of graduated equal opportunities.
The Southwest FDP had previously tried in vain to get into the format. FDP top candidate Hans-Ulrich Rülke had argued that the AfD had no realistic chance of being part of the next state government – but the FDP and SPD did./dna/DP/he