Not wanting Christian Democrats to participate in demonstrations against right-wing extremism is a mistake. It's about democracy.

Everyone should participate in the protests against the extreme right, including Friedrich Merz of the CDU. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

Many things about the CDU can and should be criticized. CDU leader Friedrich Merz's populist statements from “little pashas” to “social tourists” and dentist appointments supposedly blocked by refugees. The majorities that the leader of the state of Thuringia, Mario Voigt, sometimes organizes with the AfD. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, who always sounds like an AfD lite.

The draft of the new basic program that the CDU wants to approve in May also contains many things that must be criticized and prevented politically. For example, the plan to carry out asylum procedures exclusively in third countries and accept only contingents, which is equivalent to abolishing the right to asylum in Germany.

However, it would be a fundamental mistake to point out that we do not want Christian Democrats and their followers to participate in demonstrations for democracy and against right-wing extremism, as is currently being debated in some places. On the contrary: we would have to try to win over the CDU's spectrum for the protests. That is why it would be good to talk specifically about the demonstrations against right-wing extremism and not vaguely about those opposing right-wing extremism.

Of course, it is true that many of the protesters are against a shift to the right, in which the Union also plays its role. But this year it is about more: democracy is under pressure like never before in the history of the Federal Republic. The AfD could make huge gains in this super-election year and perhaps become the strongest force in the state elections in Thuringia, Saxony and Brandenburg in the autumn. It is no longer ruled out that she comes to power. This should be avoided.

Democrats versus anti-democrats

A left alliance that is completely at peace with itself can feel good in Berlin, Leipzig and Cologne. But such an alliance alone will not stop this dangerous development. This is only possible together with Christian Democracy.

This does not mean that the Merzens and Kretschmers should now speak at the demonstrations, since the question is whether the speeches of the leading politicians there make sense. The danger is that the relevant party will take advantage of the demonstration for its own benefit. But it means that democracy can, and indeed should, be defended alongside conservatives.

This year it should be clear to everyone: the crucial border is not between the government and the opposition, nor between the left and the conservatives. He moves between democrats and anti-democrats. And despite all the criticism, the majority of the CDU is on the right side.