CSU deputy leader Weber declares anti-AfD firewall failed, urges CDU rethink

Manfred Weber, deputy CSU leader, publicly declares the CDU/CSU's strict demarcation from the far-right AfD a failure, calling it a 'huge burden' and noting that in Thuringia and Saxony the CDU is forced to 'constantly vote with left-wing parties'. This marks a notable shift in rhetoric from a senior Union figure, potentially opening the door to coalition discussions with the AfD at state level, though official party policy remains unchanged.