Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s grip on power has deteriorated significantly following a regional election earlier this month in which the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party decisively defeated his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Saxony-Anhalt. The setback prompted Merz to cancel his planned address at the UN General Assembly next week, with government officials stating his presence was needed in Berlin instead.
The cancellation fueled speculation about Merz’s political future, with observers questioning whether he might resign or prepare to fend off internal party challenges. In response, eight CDU state premiers issued a joint statement backing Merz, citing the need for stability amid far-right political movements across Europe. The signatories included potential successor candidates such as North Rhine-Westphalia’s Hendrik Wüst, and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder also publicly supported the chancellor.
The solidarity demonstration’s durability remains uncertain, particularly given upcoming regional elections scheduled for Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where polling suggests the CDU faces additional losses. Merz, who took office in May 2025 with a mandate to strengthen the economy and address migration concerns, has seen the AfD surge to lead national polling. The far-right party’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, has publicly vowed the AfD will prevent the CDU from winning future elections and has called for the party’s “destruction.”
Opposition parties have expressed concern about political instability, with the Green Party urging Merz to stabilize his government rather than face potential early elections that could benefit the AfD further. The general election is not scheduled until 2029, leaving considerable time for the current political situation to develop.
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