Merz Faces Leadership Crisis
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Faces Major Leadership Test After Far-Right Election Gains
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Key Points
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The AfD’s 43.8% result in Saxony-Anhalt marked the first time since World War II that a far-right party came close to controlling a German state. It remained three seats short of an outright majority, and Germany’s major parties have ruled out forming a coalition with it, although the AfD could seek a minority government.
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After the Saxony-Anhalt defeat, Merz called the AfD a “destructive force” and accused its migration policy of amounting to the “ethnic cleansing” of skilled workers. The AfD responded by saying it was filing a defamation complaint over what it called baseless and “disgusting” claims.
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The CDU leaders who backed Merz included figures identified as possible successors, notably North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wüst; Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, another prominent conservative, also said he supported Merz.
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Merz’s coalition with the SPD has struggled to turn around the economy, reform the welfare system and develop an effective response to soaring fuel prices, adding to dissatisfaction with his government.
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The eight CDU premiers’ statement framed the leadership dispute in a wider European context, warning that political establishments face far-right challenges in upcoming elections in Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece and France.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces his biggest political test yet after the far-right AfD crushed his CDU party in Saxony-Anhalt, winning 43.8% of votes versus the CDU's 17.2%. Financial Times reported that the defeat has sparked open speculation about Merz's future, with some party members questioning whether he can survive two more state elections this week. Merz rejected calls to resign but canceled a UN appearance to focus on damage control ahead of Sunday's voting in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The AfD's result marked the first time since World War II that a far-right party came close to controlling a German state, falling three seats short of outright majority. Japan Times noted that major parties have ruled out coalitions with the AfD, though the party could attempt a minority government. Merz called the AfD a "destructive force" and accused it of policies amounting to "ethnic cleansing" of skilled workers—claims the AfD is contesting through legal action.
Eight Premiers Publicly Back Merz in Party Show of Unity
Eight CDU state premiers, including figures seen as potential successors, released a statement backing Merz and urging the party to unite behind him. Yahoo News reported that North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wüst and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, both prominent conservatives, publicly endorsed Merz's leadership. The statement framed the fight against the far-right as part of a wider European battle, citing upcoming far-right threats in Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, and France.
Coalition Struggles Over Economy and Migration Policy
Merz's partnership with the SPD has failed to fix Germany's economic problems or reform the welfare system. Free Malaysia Today highlighted that soaring fuel prices and stalled policy reforms have left voters frustrated with the government. The coalition's weak response on these core issues has given the AfD room to grow, with migration policy becoming a flashpoint where Merz and the AfD clash sharply over competing visions.
Sunday Elections Could Determine Merz's Political Survival
A CDU leadership meeting scheduled after Sunday's regional votes in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will signal whether the party stays behind Merz or opens a succession battle. Yahoo News reported that the AfD is expected to score major gains in both states, potentially delivering another blow to Merz's standing. Poor results could embolden rival factions within the CDU to challenge his leadership, even as party heavyweights publicly claim loyalty.
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