Word of the Week: Brandmauer
This past week has seen the Fall of the Wall in Berlin. That’s right: The Fall of the Wall. But it’s not the wall that we find in the history books or discussed in the classroom, at least not yet that is. This Fall of the Wall has to do with the Brandmauer politicians in the German parliament (Bundestag) have with the far-right Alternatives, AfD. These politicians come from the traditional parties of the Christian Democrats (CDU), Social Democrats (SPD), the Left, the Greens, the Free Liberals (FDP) and lastly, the Wagenknecht Party (BSW) who were against the idea of even working together with the AfD. And it’s understandable for if there are three words describing the party under Alice Weidel, they would be German purification, Remigration and Dexit (Germany exiting the European Union). This Brandmauer, known in English as a Firewall, was supposed to be standing stong and heavily guarded while attempts are made to ban the AfD, which has stong ties to the Third Reich in terms of idealogy and mentality.
This Brandmauer was taken down by Friedrich Merz from the CDU and it had to do with pure Actionism. After a knife attack in Aschaffenburg, combined with an attack at the Christmas market in Magdeburg, Merz tried to take charge by introducing a law that would keep immigrants without papers outside the German borders and would strengthen police enforcement along the border to keep them out. Those commiting a crime and are in asylum would be expelled almost instantly. Merz made his point clear that he didn’t care who supports him as long as it is introduced.
It did not take long until Alice Weidel’s party signalled the party’s interest in jumping on board. Also members of the FDP and BSW. And the rest is history.
Inner-political strife combined with protests from all over Germany calling for Merz to back down, hate mail even in social media but most importantly, disbelief that Merz simply opened the gates as if it was introducing himself to a neighbor who was disliked among the neighborhood because of a past ciminal record. While the bill eventually failed to pass on Friday, the biggest loss was that democracy failed us with Merz tearing down the Brandmauer.
Whenever someone goes against the wills and wishes of the people he wish to govern, that trust is gone and the reputation is damaged beyond repair. While Merz claims to have a plan to counter Donald Trump regarding trade and political relations, one can see clearly what is happening in the United States at present- Amercian democracy being stonewalled by a select few that care only about their interests and not of the people they are governing, as well as the international ties. If Merz’s plan includes similar policies, it would surely include the AfD, BSW and even the FDP, two of which have cold feet while the third has cold blood in the veins. The concoction is too dangerous and has the features last seen with Hitler’s rise to power in 1933. And when seeing the thousands of people protesting in every city with more than 30,000 inhabitants, one should pay attention to the needs of the public which has made a clear statement of NO AFD, NO COALITION WITH THE RIGHT, NO REMIGRATION, NO REICH!
The writings are on the wall and the CDU are paying for it dearly with 18 days left before the federal elections on February 23rd. Already a minority government with the CDU is in place in Saxony and Thuringia and the party is losing votes elsewhere. On the federal level, the approval ratings have slumped drammatically since last week because of the Brandmauer falling and it could set the stage for the fall of Merz as other parties have since gained substantial votes, especially among the SPD, Greens and the Left. Despite hitting the breaking point and ending the Traffic Light Coalition in November, thus setting the stage for early elections, we could see a repeat of 2021 with Armin Laschet’s downfall and the SPD and Greens winning. Even a coalition with the Left is a possibility. And it all has to do with one common goal: to keep the AfD out of power and in the opposition. Attempts have been made to ban the party because of its right-wing stance, but that is feable compared to the damage already done with the Brandmauer gone.
What will contain the AfD is to vote on the 23rd of February for any party other than them and the CDU and hold Merz accountable for his actions. SPD, Greens, Left, whatever party that objected the immigration proposals last week. Yet if Merz wants to save face on behalf the CDU, he should consider standing up to Weidel in the upcoming TV debate on February 16th and team up with his counterparts in Robert Habeck (Green) and Olaf Scholz (SPD) to defeat the AfD live and in front of the audience. If he cannot do so, then we know why he tore down the Wall. And those who tear down an important wall must not be allowed to govern but instead allow a younger politician to take over, one who knows about history and knows the consequences of forming a coalition with a party who ignores the Holocaust and snubs democracy. We’re seeing what’s happening in America thanks to Trump and Elon Musk. The elections of February 23rd will decide Germany’s fate and with it, Europe’s and especially democracy itself.
