CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer called the AfD the "political arm of right-wing radicalism". The anti-Semitic attack of Halle was "a shame" and "an alarm sign that should not leave any of us cold," said Kramp-Karrenbauer on Sunday at the Germany Day of the Young Union (JU) in Saarbrücken.
There have been alarm signals before. "But the problem is that none of these alarms seem to have arrived in such a way that one recognizes: Right-wing radicalism and the political arm of right-wing radicalism, the AfD, are a real problem in Germany."
Kramp-Karrenbauer also commented critically on the level of political debate: "We must not get used to the fact that every day in the political debate one taboo after another is broken," she said. The CDU should never forget in all inner-party discussions: "The political opponent is always outside our ranks, never within."
"Using technology to solve problems better"
Kramp-Karrenbauer is currently under pressure for poor poll numbers. Nevertheless, it was received on Sunday by the JU delegates with great applause.
With a view to the package of measures adopted on Wednesday to combat the global rise in temperature, Kramp-Karrenbauer was reluctant. The CDU must have a "hot heart" when it comes to the climate. But it is also necessary "the cool head, who knows, with technology you can solve the problems better".
In her speech, she also commented on the current conflict in Syria and warned against a Turkish occupation zone. "The Turks are a NATO partner, and NATO is an alliance based on values," she said. Accordingly, the NATO members would have to contribute to the stabilization of world peace and not destabilize it.
"If there is any indication that Turkey really plans to stay in northern Syria as a kind of occupying force in the long term, then there must be a clear answer from us, which is not possible," said Kramp-Karrenbauer.
