Söder warns minority rule could destabilize German democracy

Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder has spoken out strongly against the idea of a minority government at the federal level. The CSU leader warned that such a move could destabilise Germany’s political system and weaken democratic institutions. Söder argued that a minority government would struggle to pass laws in parliament. He described the scenario as risky, pointing to historical parallels with the Weimar Republic. During that period, he noted, radical forces gained ground while democratic parties lost influence.

The CSU leader also accused the far-right AfD of seeking to undermine and eventually replace the centre-right Union bloc. According to Söder, the party has no real interest in shaping policy but instead aims to expand its own power. He stressed that democratic governments must not collapse due to public fatigue or political resignation. To prevent instability, Söder insisted that the current coalition must hold together. A failure to do so, he warned, could lead to fresh elections—but with a weaker democratic mandate for the next government.

Söder’s remarks highlight concerns over political fragmentation and the rise of extremist parties. He has made it clear that, in his view, a stable coalition remains the only viable option to protect Germany’s democratic system. The warning comes as debates over government stability continue in Berlin.