Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union (cdu), suggested local-level cooperation with far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in an interview on Sunday.

The AfD has achieved recent electoral successes at the local level, which Merz was responding to. If an AfD mayor were elected, Merz said, “it’s natural that we have to look for ways to ensure that we can continue to work together in the city.” He also stated, “We are obliged to accept the results of democratic elections.”

Backlash: The comments stirred anger in the cdu, which has historically refused to associate with the AfD.

Following the interview, Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner said the cdu could not cooperate with a party “whose business model is hate, division and exclusion.” Bundestag Vice President and cdu Presidium member Yvonne Magwas tweeted, “For Christian Democrats, right-wing radicals are always the enemy!”

Merz clarified that his remarks applied to the local level. He wrote on Twitter, “I have never said it differently: The resolution of cdu applies. There will also be no cooperation between #cdu and the AfD at the municipal level.” Later that day, he added, “I won’t let anyone outbid me that working with the AfD is out of the question. I said that yesterday and today. I will say that in the future. And it stays that way.”

Shift right: Merz has been pushing the party toward the right since becoming its leader in January 2022. The cdu was center right while under Chancellor Angela Merkel for 16 years.

The AfD has surged in opinion polls recently, now ranking second in popularity just behind the CDU and ahead of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic Party. Pollsters, when asked why they would vote for the AfD, listed its anti-immigration stance, its opposition to the current administration’s climate and environment energy policies, and their concern over the economy.

Coming strongman: Germans are fed up with the current government. They want stronger policies and a stronger leader to enforce them. Bible prophecy says that is what they will get.

In a January 2019 article, “Germany—A New King Is Imminent,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote:

Germany today is crying out for a stronger leader, and the European Union wants stronger leadership and direction from Germany. There is a strong demand for a new leader in Germany. People can’t agree on what his policies should be—but they want someone different from Merkel, and someone with vision.

How much more true is that today! The Trumpet doesn’t make these claims based on the forecast of any world analyst, political adviser or even historical precedence. These claims are based on the Bible.

Daniel 8 prophesies that “a king of fierce countenance” will rise in this end time. This German leader will form a European power bloc of 10 nations, as described in Revelation 17.

To prove this, read our free booklet A Strong German Leader Is Imminent.