A Political Earthquake in the East
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to remain in office despite a landslide victory by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, a result that he admitted has shaken his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) “to its very foundations,” The Guardian reported on Monday. The AfD secured nearly 44% of the vote, effectively routing the incumbent CDU, which managed only 17%.
Appearing in Berlin on Monday, an ashen-faced Merz conceded that the result represents the “worst electoral defeat” his party has suffered in decades. While the AfD fell short of an absolute majority, the party is now within striking distance of forming Germany’s first far-right state government since the Nazi era, needing only three additional seats to reach the threshold.
Resilience vs. Calls for Change
Despite calls from influential media voices, including Der Spiegel editor-in-chief Dirk Kurbjuweit, for a “fresh start” and an immediate replacement for the Chancellor, Merz insisted that his determination to continue his reform path remains “unbroken.” He emphasized that he would not “budge a single millimetre” from his commitment to support Ukraine and defend European security, citing concerns that Moscow would view the AfD’s success as a tactical victory.
The AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt chapter, which is classified as “confirmed rightwing extremist” by German domestic intelligence, campaigned on a platform of mass deportations and a reduction in state funding for public broadcasters and cultural institutions. Their success has stoked fears of a “cultural hegemony” and potential constitutional instability.
Stakes for the Federal Coalition
The election results have placed immense pressure on the federal government. With two more state elections scheduled for September 20 in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the political establishment is struggling to maintain its “firewall” against the AfD. While the CDU and its junior coalition partner, the Social Democrats, have discussed potential policy shifts regarding healthcare and pensions to appease voter grievances, the Chancellor remains focused on long-term sustainability.
Merz acknowledged that his personal low approval ratings—with one poll showing only 9% support for his performance—contributed to the loss. He pledged to improve his “communication” with the public, particularly in the former communist east, where voters have long expressed a sense of being treated as “second-class citizens.”