During a politically charged speech at the Political Ash Wednesday event in Passau, Markus Söder, the leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU), expressed his strong opposition to leftist NGOs, calling them the "worst opponents" of his party. He criticized their stance on various issues, particularly regarding the urban-rural divide, stating that those who deny the truth only aid the rise of right-wing extremism in Germany.

Söder's comments reflect the CSU's strategy of positioning itself as the champion of rural areas in contrast to what he described as the left's disdain for these regions. He passionately declared the CSU as the party that loves the countryside and aims to protect its interests, thus appealing to the rural electorate while attempting to rally support against leftist ideologies and parties, particularly the Greens.

The speech not only highlights the ongoing political battle between the CSU and leftist groups but also signals a broader strategy of seeking to consolidate support among conservative voters by invoking fears of leftist policies. This rhetoric is likely to resonate with segments of the population that feel marginalized by urban-centric policies, positioning the CSU as a defender of traditional values and rural prosperity.