hardliner
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hardliner
A person, especially in politics, who takes an unyielding and uncompromising stance and sticks to strict principles or demands.
In den Tarifverhandlungen galt der Vertreter der Arbeitgeber als Hardliner, der keine Zugeständnisse machen wollte.
In the wage negotiations, the employers’ representative was considered a hardliner who did not want to make any concessions.
'Hardliner' is a loanword from English ('hard-liner'). It describes a person who takes a 'harte Linie' (hard line), meaning a strict and uncompromising position.
Er ist als Hardliner in der Finanzpolitik bekannt.
He is known as a hardliner in fiscal policy.
This word is used very often in reporting on politics, business, and negotiations. It often has a slightly negative connotation and describes a person who is not willing to compromise.
Die Verhandlungen scheiterten am Widerstand der Hardliner.
The negotiations failed because of resistance from the hardliners.
It is often specified in which area someone is a hardliner. The preposition 'in' is used for this, for example 'ein Hardliner in der Klimapolitik' (a hardliner in climate policy). Another common phrase is 'als Hardliner gelten' (to be considered a hardliner).
Innerhalb seiner Partei gilt er als Hardliner in Sicherheitsfragen.
Within his party, he is considered a hardliner on security issues.
extremist
'Extremist' and 'Hardliner' both describe people who hold very firmly to their positions. 'Extremist' is stronger and means someone with extreme political, religious, or ideological views, often with dangerous or undemocratic means. 'Hardliner' is used especially in politics when someone does not want to compromise and supports very strict demands. A hardliner is not automatically an extremist. The words can be confused because both seem uncompromising. In practical terms: for dangerous radicalization, 'Extremist' is more appropriate; for a tough negotiating position, 'Hardliner' is more appropriate.
Heute hat sich der Hardliner in der Partei gegen jeden Kompromiss ausgesprochen.
Today the hardliner in the party spoke out against any compromise.
Der Extremist verbreitet im Internet Aufrufe gegen die demokratische Ordnung.
The extremist is spreading calls against the democratic order online.