Merz Has No Plans to Resign Following His Party's Defeat — BBC
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that he does not intend to step down following his party’s poor showing in the local elections in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. He does not link the election results to his resignation.
According to preliminary results, the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) received only 4.9% of the vote. It failed to clear the required 5 percent threshold to enter the state parliament.
The German chancellor has already called this result a “disaster” for his political party.
The far-right party “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) took first place in the election in this federal state, receiving 33.3% of the vote.
Merz told reporters at the party’s Berlin headquarters on Sunday, September 20, that he would continue to implement the coalition government’s plans for a package of economic, tax, and social reforms.
“Reforms are inevitable. I am taking on this responsibility because I want to move our country forward. Now is the time to show resolve, steadfastness, and patience. I will demonstrate this as chairman of the CDU and, above all, as our country’s chancellor,” he said.
The BBC notes that the CDU leader has gone on the offensive, declaring that he is not going anywhere. The publication reports that Merz has long dreamed of holding the highest office in German politics and is unlikely to give it up so easily.
Despite Merz’s assurances that he will remain in office, pressure on him is mounting rapidly due to low approval ratings among the public. Rumors are circulating in the media that the chancellor could be replaced by a more popular politician even without holding early elections.
Amid the crisis, on the evening of September 20, the head of government convened a meeting of the CDU executive committee to discuss the level of support from fellow party members.
Source: BBC
Prior to this, Merz had called his party’s performance in the German elections a disaster.
As a reminder, nearly half of Germans expect Merz to resign by the end of the year.
Earlier, Merz stated that Russia is building submarines to destroy cables.
Friedrich Merz also reaffirmed his unwavering support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in Germany, the leader of the Greens called on Merz’s government to get its act together.
