German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has firmly dismissed appeals from within his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to reconsider its stance against collaborating with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Speaking on Monday, Merz emphasized that the AfD, which has seen rising support in recent polls, shares no common ground with his conservative party. The AfD, known for its anti-migration policies, secured second place in Germany’s February national election and continues to gain traction, particularly in the eastern states where regional elections are slated for next year. Despite pressure from some CDU members, including former General Secretary Peter Tauber and ex-Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, Merz reiterated the party’s 2018 resolution to avoid coalitions or cooperation with the AfD. He described the far-right party as fundamentally opposed to decades of policies that have shaped modern Germany’s success. Merz also acknowledged internal challenges within his coalition government with the Social Democrats, citing public disagreements that have frustrated voters. However, he defended the coalition’s progress on key issues like economic revitalization and migration control. The AfD, classified as a right-wing extremist organization by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, continues to challenge this designation in court while pushing for the CDU to dismantle its so-called ‘firewall’ against far-right collaboration. Merz dismissed these overtures, stating that the AfD’s ‘outstretched hand is, in reality, a hand that wants to destroy us.’