Foreign relations of the European Union
Markus Frohnmaier Criticizes CDU in SWR Aktuell Summer Interview
Markus Frohnmaier, co-chairman of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Baden-Württemberg, voiced his criticisms against the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in a recent SWR Aktuell summer interview. The interview, conducted by Andreas Stoch, was broadcast on August 4, 2025, and can be found on the ARD Mediathek, SWR connected Newsletter, and ARD-Foto.de.
During the interview, Frohnmaier accused the CDU of poorly representing Baden-Württemberg at the European level in the trade deal with the USA. He also criticized the CDU's defense policy, stating that they had ruined the Bundeswehr and left Germany basically defenseless.
Regarding tariffs, Frohnmaier expressed his party's desire to discuss the issue with the Americans. He also advocated for reversing the ban on internal combustion engines and called for public authorities and institutions in Baden-Württemberg to only buy locally made vehicles in the future.
In addition, Frohnmaier discussed his personal experience of having a heart attack at 27 due to stress from fatherhood, Bundestag mandate, press spokesman job, and studies. He also mentioned that his party wants to reintroduce conscription and stop supporting Ukraine.
The CDU's current stance on tariffs, the automotive industry, defense, and Nord Stream can be summarized as follows. Under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the CDU prioritizes economic growth backed by public and private investment. They acknowledge the challenges faced by Germany’s automotive and related industries and are taking proactive measures to counteract job losses and preserve the sector’s competitiveness in innovative and climate-friendly technologies.
Regarding defense, the CDU continues standard policy aligned with NATO, but no clear recent stance on Nord Stream emerges from the latest materials. The CDU's leadership emphasizes democratic engagement and network with industry leaders, typical of the CDU’s pragmatic, growth-oriented approach.
Frohnmaier's criticism reflects opposition party dissent but lacks detail on specifics beyond calls for fair media treatment and broader policy disputes. The next SWR Aktuell summer interview in Baden-Württemberg has yet to be announced.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution classifies the AfD as a "right-wing extremist suspect case." The interview, originally content from ots, can be found on the SWR Aktuell summer interviews platform, and photos from the interview are available via ARD-Foto.de. The press contact for the interview is Ursula Foelsch, Tel. 0711 929 11034, [email protected].
- Markus Frohnmaier, in his criticism of the CDU, expressed concerns about the representation of Baden-Württemberg at the European level in the science and policy-and-legislation of trade deals, such as the one with the USA.
- Frohnmaier's party, the AfD, wishes to discuss issues like tariffs with the Americans, specifically in the context of the health-and-wellness sector, as Frohnmaier advocated for reversing the ban on internal combustion engines.
- Frohnmaier's criticism also extended to war-and-conflicts, as he accused the CDU of ruining the Bundeswehr, leaving Germany almost defenseless.
- In the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice, Frohnmaier's party proposed reintroducing conscription, a stance that contrasts with the CDU's approach, and expressed a desire to stop supporting Ukraine in unspecified ways.
