German Chancellor Merz plans CDU leadership meeting after state elections
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to hold a meeting of the executive committee of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) on Sunday after elections in Berlin and the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. As The Local Germany reports, he aims to secure further support from the party at the meeting.
Elections in two states
According to a CDU spokeswoman, the executive committee will convene immediately after voting in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Polls indicate that in Berlin, the CDU is neck and neck with the left-wing party Die Linke, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the party may win only about 7% of the vote.
At the same time, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is forecast to strengthen its position in both states. According to a Forsa institute poll this week, 10% of respondents were satisfied with Merz's work as chancellor.
At the national level, the AfD is ahead of the CDU in polls. In elections on September 6 in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, the AfD received nearly 44% of the vote, while the CDU received 17%.
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Internal party criticism
Merz, who is also CDU chairman, became chancellor in May last year. He promised to revive the economy, strengthen Germany's defense in the face of a hostile Russia, curb irregular migration, and carry out reforms intended to restrain the AfD's growing popularity.
The chancellor's low personal ratings and criticism within the party have intensified speculation about a possible challenge to his position in the CDU/CSU. North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst and Bavarian Minister-President and CSU chairman Markus Söder have been named among possible contenders for the top position in the party camp.
Oliver Lembcke, a political scientist at Ruhr University Bochum, told AFP that Merz probably considers an early end to his chancellorship a real possibility himself. In the expert's view, the chancellor's position could become significantly more difficult if influential state leaders do not publicly express support for him after the elections.
