As a no-confidence vote looms, some Alternative for Germany (AfD) MPs are unexpectedly suggesting they might support Chancellor Olaf Scholz staying in power.
While this seems unthinkable for the party, a few argue that Scholz is the lesser evil compared to Friedrich Merz, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader.
Jürgen Pohl, one of the AfD MPs, took to Telegram to explain his position: “I would like to state clearly and officially that I do not want to see Mr. Merz in a position of responsibility under any circumstances… I must and I will therefore vote for Scholz in the vote of confidence, for Scholz is the lesser evil.” While Merz is expected to win future elections and become chancellor, Pohl and others in his party remain hesitant about him, citing his stance on escalating the war in Ukraine.
Christina Baum, another AfD member, shared similar sentiments, saying, “A vote for Scholz is definitely worth considering.” Their concerns largely revolve around Merz’s pro-escalation stance, especially his commitment to supplying long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine. The AfD, which favors peace and a ceasefire, is particularly sensitive to the situation in former East Germany, where these sentiments are even stronger than in the West.
Pohl also pointed out, “East Germans have a different position on war and peace than the West German members.” Scholz, for his part, has ruled out sending Taurus missiles and has been cautious with arms transfers, making him more palatable to some within the AfD, even if he supports Ukraine’s cause.
However, the AfD’s leadership remains firmly opposed to Scholz, citing his left-wing policies and his role in pushing through immigration reforms. A spokesperson for co-party leader Alice Weidel emphasized that the leadership has been calling for new elections and would advise against backing the chancellor.
Despite these divisions within the AfD, it seems unlikely that Scholz will survive the no-confidence vote. Enough MPs from the ruling coalition have signaled their intention to vote against him, ensuring that new elections will likely follow.
