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German State Leaders Rally Behind Chancellor Friedrich Merkz Amid AfD Surge
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State Leaders Rally Behind Chancellor Friedrich Merkz
Eight Christian Democratic Union (CDU)-led state premiers—Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia—issued a joint statement supporting Chancellor Friedrich Merkz. The communiqué stressed that “now more than ever, Germany’s political landscape needs stability” and argued that restoring public trust requires Signatories included North Rhine-Westphalia premier Hendrik Wüst and Bavarian premier Markus Söder, both mentioned as possible successors.
Electoral Setback and AfD Surge
In the Saxony-Anhalt state election earlier this month, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) captured 43.8 % of the vote, while the CDU fell to 17.2 %. The result marked the first time since World War Two that a far-right party approached control of a German state, falling three seats short of an outright majority. Two additional state polls are scheduled for Sunday, with the AfD expected to perform strongly.
Official Statements & Party Responses
Merkz described the AfD as a “destructive force” whose migration policy amounts to “ethnic cleansing” of skilled workers. The AfD responded by filing a defamation complaint, calling his accusations “baseless” and “disgusting.” Merz also cancelled a planned speech at the United Nations General Assembly, citing the need to remain in Berlin as the election shock unfolded. The CDU will convene a leadership meeting on Sunday evening to coordinate a response.
Criticism and Opposition
Green Party co-leader Felix Banaszak warned that internal calls for a “Kanzlertausch” (chancellor swap) could trigger new elections that might benefit the AfD, urging the CDU to “get its act together.” AfD co-leader Alice Weidel pledged in parliament that the CDU would “never win another election again,” while critics noted Merz’s failure to outline a clear vision for the remainder of his term.
Verbatim Quotes
- “now more than ever, Germany's political landscape needs stability” — Europe