Former head of the domestic intelligence service Hans-Georg Maassen has stepped away from the moderate right and launched his own party, the Union of Values. This move has sparked concern because Maassen is a controversial figure who has signaled openness to cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The CDU, Germany’s Christian Democratic Union, has faced pressure to distance itself from him as his radical positions come into sharper focus. His exit from office in 2018 raised questions about access to state secrets and confidential documents, and reports indicate he suggested that members of his new movement were present at a provocative gathering. The Potsdam meeting highlighted rhetoric that touched on deportation of non-German residents, underscoring the fraught nature of these discussions.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, widely known as the domestic intelligence service, continues to monitor Maassen as someone pushing a radical agenda. Public broadcasters and party officials have cited concerns about his influence and the implications for state secrets that remain under a legal shield despite his departure from public service. In Germany’s current political climate, where coalition partners like the Green Party align with the Social Democrats and liberal factions, calls for careful handling of Maassen and his circle have grown louder. Observers remind the public that state secrets do not vanish with a resignation; they become a litmus test for political accountability.
Between 2012 and 2018, Maassen led the ministry under Chancellor Angela Merkel and was dismissed amid tensions within the ruling grand coalition. A faction within conservative circles, including the Union of Values, has emerged as a focal point of opposition to the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU. This group has framed itself as a bridge between traditionally centrist conservatism and a more hardline stance on immigration—an issue that remains central to German political debate after the 2015 migration crisis. The new party’s creation mirrors persistent debates inside the conservative bloc about how to address the rise of the AfD and the broader challenge of populist sentiment in the electorate.
During the period in question, Maassen positioned himself as a leading critic of the CDU/CSU line on cooperation with the AfD, signaling a more assertive stance that resonated with some voters and alarmed others. Earlier this year, he announced his departure from the CDU to establish what he calls the Union of Values, signaling a strategic reorientation aimed at realigning conservative voters who feel unrepresented by the mainstream parties. The movement’s rhetoric emphasizes national sovereignty and a readiness to engage with younger voters who seek clear, uncompromising positions on security and immigration issues.
New parties, weakening of established parties
The German political landscape is increasingly fragmented as national polls reflect shifting loyalties. In recent weeks, the Left has experienced a notable split led by Sahra Wagenknecht, who, despite her roots on the left, has advocated positions on immigration and arms supply to Ukraine that share similarities with AfD attitudes. In parallel, the AfD sits in second place in national voting intentions, trailing the conservative bloc, but its momentum has paused. Analysts caution that the apparent stagnation might stem from broader fragmentation or a temporary fatigue among AfD voters who show sympathy for some of the same anti-elite themes that Maassen and his allies emphasize. Widespread demonstrations against the AfD have occurred in response to a proposed large-scale immigration plan, with many citizens calling for a national wake-up to the risks associated with neo-Nazism and xenophobic rhetoric.
Maassen has pressed for openness to dialogue, signaling that he would engage with the AfD rather than completely isolating it from political participation. His stance has fed conspiracy theories about demographic changes and the alleged suppression of the white population by immigration, positions that align with the more radical flank of the AfD, including leaders in various states. As regional elections approach, the health of the conservative vote remains a question mark, with potential gains by rival factions dependent on how wide the split within the movement becomes. The political arena is also watching protests and signature campaigns in support of or against prominent figures like Björn Höcke, whose own regional aspirations could shape the balance of power in states such as Thuringia. The dynamic atmosphere suggests that German voters are weighing questions of identity, security, and economic steadiness as the country navigates a complex transition in its party system.
Observers note that Maassen’s call for dialogue does not automatically translate into political endorsement of all AfD positions. Nevertheless, his willingness to reframe conservative dialogue has the potential to redraw the boundaries of acceptable policy within mainstream politics. Critics argue that the presence of far-right rhetoric in any form risks normalizing extreme views, while supporters contend that a plural, open political system requires engagement with a range of voices. As Germany gauges its path forward, the tension between traditional center-right governance and emerging fringe movements will remain a constant feature of public discourse. The question for voters is whether new alignments can deliver stability, security, and economic confidence without surrendering core democratic values. The unfolding debate will continue to provoke scrutiny from citizens, journalists, and political institutions alike, as the country debates the currents shaping its democratic future.