“Fascist politics” of the CDU: pressure on the Left leader is growing

Pantisano apologized in the morning. “My statement that there is currently no difference between the policies of the CDU and the AfD was shortened and wrong in this form,” he told the German Press Agency. “I apologize for this, especially to those in the CDU who repeatedly emphasize the need for a clear firewall for the AfD.”

The Union’s general secretaries had previously expressed sharp criticism of him. “Yesterday, Mr. Pantisano had the chance to distance himself from his vile insinuation in interviews. He didn’t do that,” said CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann to the dpa. He added: “The left must now provide clarity: either he resigns as chairman immediately or Mr. Pantisano’s opinion is the party opinion.”

Huber: Pantisano endangers political discourse

The General Secretary of the CSU, Martin Huber, made a similar statement. “The new left-wing leader Luigi Pantisano must resign immediately after his catastrophic false start. If Pantisano equates the Union with fascists, then he is endangering the political discourse and attacking our democracy head-on,” Huber told the German Press Agency in Munich.

He spoke of a “real political scandal that mocks the victims of fascism as much as it insults democrats in our country.” Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) was the first prominent Union politician to suggest to Pantisano that he should withdraw.

This one had one at the weekend Bild-Interview sharply attacked the CDU and said: “Ultimately, there is no difference between the CDU, which makes fascist politics, the AfD or the fascists themselves.” Several Union politicians reacted indignantly. There was also irritation on the left. Pantisano had already made it clear at the weekend that the wording was unfortunate and shortened.

Left chairman remains critical of the Union’s “rightward course”

In his clarification, Pantisano said that “we must not blur the distinction between political opponents within the democratic spectrum and those who want to abolish democracy.” At the same time, he reiterated his “fundamental criticism of the Union’s legal course”. This will be carried out on the backs of many people in the country.

“My concern also remains about a possible further political closeness between the CDU and AfD,” said Pantisano. “This development worries me greatly.”