SPD officials warn the German government may fall apart as polls show the AfD hitting record highs and CDU leaders distance themselves from the coalition.
Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) is quietly preparing for the governing coalition to collapse early, according to The Pioneer. At an internal meeting, SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf reportedly warned colleagues of “realistic” scenarios in which the coalition could break and urged the party to become “ready to campaign.” He would not confirm the report, saying only that a party must always be campaign-ready.
Concerns centre on upcoming elections in eastern Germany, where poor CDU results could trigger a political shock in Berlin. Discussions about ending the coalition are reportedly taking place openly across the SPD, CDU and CSU.
Tensions have intensified after Chancellor Friedrich Merz contradicted his own foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, over whether Syrian refugees should be returned. CDU/CSU parliamentary leader Jens Spahn has also told colleagues: “We will not die together with the SPD,” with some in the bloc viewing a minority government as an option.
The turmoil comes as the AfD climbs to 27% nationally in a new INSA poll for Bild, its highest score yet. Party figures say they are “heading towards 30%,” with co-leader Alice Weidel insisting “there’s even more to come.”
