CDU leader Friedrich Merz has said he considers it possible that a "false-flag" operation was involved in the election of an AfD politician in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament, according to Deutschlandfunk. A false-flag action refers to conduct carried out to look like the work of another side. Merz did not rule the scenario out, the broadcaster reported on Wednesday.
The comments came as the fallout from the vote continued to draw reactions from across German politics. Merz said the outcome does not sit with the values of his party, according to tagesschau.de, which reported his remark that "with the values of the CDU, that does not go together."
Other parties also weighed in. n-tv.de reported that CDU figure Julia Klöckner called on AfD politician Rausch to give up a party office over what was described as a dual role. Separately, WELT reported on an SPD position paper and criticism of what it called a unique breach of taboo in connection with the Bebelplatz. Spiegel, meanwhile, reported that AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund drew attention with a mug bearing a "Left tears" slogan.
The reports point to a broader argument over how the Saxony-Anhalt vote came about and how the parties involved should respond. The material available does not specify the date of the vote or the office the AfD politician took.
What to watch next is whether Merz's remarks prompt further statements from the CDU and whether the AfD responds to the calls directed at its officials.
