Germany’s Merz Under Pressure From Far-Right Election Triumph
The anti-immigration party won its biggest regional result yet and left coalition talks uncertain after falling three seats short of an absolute majority, broadcasters said.
- On Sunday, the AfD secured 44 percent of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, marking its largest victory yet, while the centre-right CDU received about 18 percent, suffering a historic defeat in a state it led for 24 years.
- Once a eurosceptic protest party, the AfD transformed into an anti-immigration force railing against former Chancellor Angela Merkel's policies, putting the party within reach of running its first-ever state government.
- Projections indicate the AfD fell just three seats short of an absolute majority of 42 in the regional parliament, though lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund said his party "made history" and urged coalition talks.
- Within the CDU, Dennis Radtke called the vote a "watershed moment," dismissing standard platitudes about the loss, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces renewed pressure regarding his strategy to push back against the party's growth.
- National co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla view the Saxony-Anhalt result as a blueprint for national elections in 2029, while the tiny BSW party could act as kingmaker if it crosses the five-percent hurdle to enter parliament.
36 Articles
36 Articles
The Toronto Star
The Seattle TimesGerman chancellor faces tough times after first far-right party’s state election win since Nazi era
BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was facing a tough situation Monday after his party was crushed by the Alternative for Germany party in a regional election that could result in it leading the first far-right state government since…
The Local - De
The Local'Tectonic shift': What next for Chancellor Merz and the CDU after far right win?
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will huddle Monday with his CDU party to discuss and digest their thumping defeat at the hands of the far-right AfD party in a state election in the ex-communist east.
The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces Monday the challenge of reacting to the electoral triumph of the anti-immigration and long-term AfD (Alternative for Germany) group in Saxony-Anhalt, a poll that places extreme right in a favorable position to lead a German land for the first time since 1945, comments AFP, quoted by Agerpres.
The AfD triumphs, Friedrich Merz shakes – the election exit in Saxony-Anhalt also has to do with the CDU boss. The fact that the chancellor still has the power to pull the rudder around again has to be doubted. And what does Markus Söder do now?
The Independent
The Independent (US)Far-right AfD wins key German state in major blow to Merz
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