The CDU, SPD, Greens, FDP, Left Party, Volt, and Die Partei signed a “fairness agreement” initiated by the “Cologne Round Table for Integration” association.
The pact commits the signatories not to blame migrants or refugees for unemployment, crime, or security concerns.
It also promises an active fight against racism and antisemitism, with compliance monitored by Protestant and Catholic church representatives. Citizens are encouraged to report possible breaches of the agreement by party campaigners or candidates.
The agreement explicitly excluded the AfD from the process, with those involved insisting the right-wing party does not share their values and should not be welcomed to sign, not that there was any suggestion that the party would do so.
The deal has sparked sharp criticism from both academics and political rivals. Political scientist Werner Patzelt told Bild that the decision was “tactically stupid,” arguing that leaving migration concerns unaddressed hands the AfD an open goal.
“Our parties are so stupid that they don’t see the tactical disadvantage and are so weak-minded that they don’t see that they themselves are damaging our democracy by not wanting to talk about important issues,” he said.
The AfD condemned the agreement as an attempt to silence debate.
The party’s Cologne district spokesperson, Christer Cremer, told RTL, as cited by T-Online:
“I view this fairness agreement somewhat critically, because I believe it is intended to suppress debate. Especially during the election campaign, it must be possible to address all issues, including issues of migration, but also many other things.”
Taking to X, the local AfD party wrote:
“The AfD is not going along with this. We won’t allow the left to forbid us from saying what we say. We address problems and propose solutions.”
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