Merz says he will not step down after AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he does not intend to step down after the convincing victory of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD won nearly 44% of the vote, significantly ahead of Merz’s conservative Christian Democratic Union, which received 17%.
As The Guardian World reports, Merz called the result the CDU’s worst electoral defeat in many years and decades. The chancellor acknowledged that his low approval ratings may have affected the party’s result and said he intended to communicate more effectively with voters.
AfD lacks a majority to govern alone
AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund and the party did not secure the absolute majority needed to independently elect the head of the state government. At the same time, the AfD is only three seats short of a majority, and its leadership said it would seek support among lawmakers from other political forces.
Germany’s domestic intelligence service classifies the AfD’s Saxony-Anhalt branch as “confirmed right-wing extremist.” The party promised mass deportations of unwanted immigrants and asylum seekers, although critics consider such proposals unlawful.
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Position on Ukraine and Russia
Merz said he would continue reforms of the healthcare and pension systems, despite the willingness of the CDU’s junior coalition partner, the Social Democrats, to soften the disputed measures. He stressed that he would not abandon the reform course.
The chancellor also assured allies of the resilience of German institutions and said Germany would uphold constitutional values even if the AfD came to power in the state. Merz promised not to change his position on Ukraine and said freedom must be defended from Russia.
According to Merz, Moscow will rejoice at the AfD’s success in Saxony-Anhalt. He also accused Russia of supporting the far right’s campaign amid reports of possible Russian interference and sabotage. The next regional elections in Germany are scheduled for September 20, in Berlin and the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the AfD also has strong positions.
