Christian Democratic Union (CDU) local councillors voted in favor of an Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) motion on a construction project, prompting a political storm in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Elected representatives on Vorpommern-Greifswald district council aimed to speed up the construction of a suspension bridge linking the mainland to the island of Usedom. It marks the first time an AfD proposal has gained a majority in the region.
The Greens, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Left Party sharply criticized the decision calling it “pure symbolic politics” and accusing the CDU of legitimizing the ‘far right.’
CDU group leader Jeannette von Busse defended the vote, saying it reflected local residents’ desire for better transport links and reduced traffic congestion in nearby Wolgast—which the Federal Ministry of Transport, requesting a cost-benefit analysis, estimates would cost more than €500 million.
The move reignites the national debate within the CDU over cooperation with the AfD. The party’s leadership has reiterated its rejection of any collaboration, while internal factions like “Compass Mitte” are calling for an outright ban on the AfD. Others argue that the CDU’s strict “firewall” against the Right only strengthens the populist party.
