German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces mounting pressure after the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) secured a significant victory in the regional election in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month. The result dealt a severe blow to Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), fueling speculation about his political future less than 18 months into his term.
With two additional state elections taking place on Sunday, where the AfD is also expected to perform strongly, Merz canceled a planned speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, citing the need to remain in Berlin. This move intensified rumors that the chancellor might be preparing to step down or is striving to defend his leadership against an internal challenge.
In response to the growing uncertainty within the CDU, eight state premiers from the party issued a joint statement endorsing Merz. They stressed the importance of political stability amidst the broader rise of right-wing populism across Europe, referencing upcoming elections in Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, and France. The statement emphasized that restoring public trust in the CDU depends on constructive political engagement rather than debates over leadership changes. The signatories included notable figures often mentioned as potential successors to Merz, such as Hendrik Wüst, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, and Markus Söder, the Bavarian premier who has also publicly voiced his support for the chancellor.
Despite this show of solidarity, polls suggest that voters may continue to punish the CDU in the upcoming elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the federal coalition government led by Merz’s CDU and the Social Democrats. The AfD, which has gained momentum nationally, stands poised to capitalize on this discontent.
The AfD’s strong performance in Saxony-Anhalt marked a historic moment, as the party narrowly missed achieving an outright majority and is seeking alliances to install its candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, as the first far-right regional leader in Germany since the Nazi era. Party co-leader Alice Weidel has openly declared her intention to eliminate the CDU’s political dominance, calling for “positive changes” through the AfD’s platform. Her campaign received endorsements from former U.S. President Donald Trump and technology entrepreneur Elon Musk.
In parliamentary debates following the election, Merz strongly condemned the AfD’s calls for “remigration,” a controversial policy aimed at mass deportations, accusing the party of promoting ethnic cleansing. However, critics argue that Merz has failed to present a clear plan for addressing the challenges facing his administration and reversing the CDU’s declining support.
The continuing rise of the AfD has unsettled Germany’s mainstream parties. Opposition figures, including the Green Party’s co-leader Felix Banaszak, have urged the CDU to stabilize its leadership and avoid steps that could trigger early elections, which might further strengthen the far-right. Banaszak warned that replacing Merz as chancellor through an internal party motion could inadvertently benefit the AfD, calling on the CDU to focus on governance and unity during this turbulent period. Germany’s next general election is scheduled for 2029.