Frankfurt (Germany), 7 September (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reported to have expressed grave concern over the AfD’s success in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, referring to a possible “far-right government” and a “far-right minister-president” in the state. This was reported by Bild, citing details that emerged from a meeting of the CDU’s federal executive committee. “We have a strong Constitution; we have all the tools to defend it against a far-right regional government, but we are witnessing a tectonic shift in our party system,” Merz is reported to have said. “This is shaking our party to its very foundations. We cannot simply carry on as normal – not even I, nor the federal government,” the Chancellor is reported to have added. Merz is also said to have acknowledged the CDU’s share of responsibility for the election result. “We failed to connect with people on an emotional level,” he reportedly admitted, highlighting the lack of “emotional support from the population”. “We cannot ignore this,” he added. The Chancellor is said to have described the CDU’s defeat in Saxony-Anhalt as “dramatic” and the result as a “profound turning point for the party”. Among the causes for concern, he is said to have cited the congratulations sent to the AfD from Moscow and the United States. Merz is said to have then called for party unity, urging the leadership to “speak openly about the problems” whilst, at the same time, maintaining internal cohesion. Everyone, he warned, must be aware that public statements against the party ultimately damage the CDU. According to Merz, the AfD’s objective is the “complete destruction of the CDU”. “There can be no cooperation with this party,” he reportedly reiterated, emphasising that the CDU remains firmly anchored to the principles of Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl.
Germany: Merz fears an extremist government: ‘The CDU has been shaken to its very foundations’
Frankfurt (Germany), 7 September (LaPresse) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reported to have expressed grave concern over the AfD’s success in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, referring to a possible “far-right government” and a “far-right minister-president” in the state. This was reported by Bild, citing details that emerged from a meeting of the CDU’s federal executive committee. “We have a strong Constitution; we have all the tools to defend it against a far-right regional government, but we are witnessing a tectonic shift in our party system,” Merz is reported to have said. “This is shaking our party to its very foundations. We cannot simply carry on as normal – not even I, nor the federal government,” the Chancellor is reported to have added. Merz is also said to have acknowledged the CDU’s share of responsibility for the election result. “We failed to connect with people on an emotional level,” he reportedly admitted, highlighting the lack of “emotional support from the population”. “We cannot ignore this,” he added. The Chancellor is said to have described the CDU’s defeat in Saxony-Anhalt as “dramatic” and the result as a “profound turning point for the party”. Among the causes for concern, he is said to have cited the congratulations sent to the AfD from Moscow and the United States. Merz is said to have then called for party unity, urging the leadership to “speak openly about the problems” whilst, at the same time, maintaining internal cohesion. Everyone, he warned, must be aware that public statements against the party ultimately damage the CDU. According to Merz, the AfD’s objective is the “complete destruction of the CDU”. “There can be no cooperation with this party,” he reportedly reiterated, emphasising that the CDU remains firmly anchored to the principles of Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl.