Söder and Stocker address AfD and migration policy

During a CSU party meeting in Munich, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker discussed the rise of right-wing populism and migration policy.

Söder criticized AfD leader Alice Weidel, attributing a “Prussian brutality” to her approach. While acknowledging the desire to ban the AfD, Söder warned that a prohibition could grant the party “martyr status” and might be ineffective, as supporters could simply form new parties. He argued that the political challenge must be solved democratically rather than through bans.

Chancellor Stocker expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of the “firewall” (Brandmauer) used to isolate radical parties, suggesting instead that the focus should be on “removing the fuel” for such movements. Stocker also reaffirmed a hard line on migration, stating that those who do not accept democratic and rule-of-law values “must not stay with us.” He specifically identified “political Islam” as a threat to democracy.