Wolfgang Kubicki, deputy chairman of the FDP, called CDU leader Friedrich Merz an „Eierarsch“ in a recent podcast, drawing sharp criticism from the CDU while reiterating his stance that there is no constitutional or legal „firewall“ against cooperation with the AfD.
Kubicki rejects the idea of a legal firewall against the AfD
In the podcast, Kubicki stated explicitly that the so-called Brandmauer against the AfD has no basis in German law or the constitution, saying, „Ich kenne keine Brandmauer.“ He emphasized that he would not make his parliamentary support dependent on whether the AfD might back a proposal, though he also clarified he would not vote for AfD proposals, form a coalition with the party, or tolerate its support.
CDU reacts strongly to personal insult directed at Merz
The CDU expressed outrage over Kubicki’s use of the derogatory term „Eierarsch“ to describe Friedrich Merz, viewing it as an unacceptable escalation in political discourse. While the FDP distanced itself from the language, it did not retract Kubicki’s substantive position on AfD cooperation, which remains aligned with the party’s official stance of rejecting any formal collaboration.

Kubicki seeks FDP leadership amid parliamentary absence
Kubicki is running for FDP chairman at the party convention at the finish of May, challenging the current Nordrhein-Westfalen FDP leader Höne. The FDP currently holds no seats in the Bundestag after failing to pass the five percent threshold in the last federal election and has also been excluded from the state parliaments of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Why does Kubicki reject the concept of a firewall against the AfD?
He argues that no such firewall exists in the German constitution or in any law, and therefore sees no legal or procedural basis for excluding the AfD from parliamentary cooperation on principle.
Did Kubicki say he would operate with the AfD?
No, he stated he would not support AfD proposals, enter a coalition with the party, or tolerate its backing, even though he opposes a formal firewall.