In the early 1930s, Franz von Papen, a conservative and then-Chancellor of Germany, claimed he would never collaborate with the NSDAP (Nazi Party) and believed he could control Hitler. He did collaborate.
Recently in Austria, Karl Nehammer, leader of the center-right Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), initially ruled out cooperation with the far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). He did collaborate.
Now, after already working with the far-right AfD to pass an anti-immigration law-**right after the 80th anniversary of Auschwitz's liberation**-the future German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, leader of the center-right CDU, insists his party will "never" collaborate with the AfD.
*Wunderbar.*
RE: https://social.vivaldi.net/@everton137/113944748121382544
A few weeks ago, I told a German friend that Merz's xenophobic remarks were just the beginning and that things were going to get worse.