German chancellor vows to stay in office despite AfD triumph in state election
Summary
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he will remain in office despite the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) winning nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt’s state election. The AfD’s success challenges the conservative CDU and raises the possibility of Germany’s first far-right state government since World War II.Key Facts
- Friedrich Merz is the German Chancellor and leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).
- The AfD won almost 44% of the vote in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, defeating the CDU by a large margin.
- The AfD is a far-right party known for anti-immigration and pro-Russia positions.
- The AfD candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, came close to an absolute majority but did not win it outright.
- Merz admitted this was the CDU’s worst electoral defeat in decades and acknowledged his poor poll ratings contributed to the loss.
- Merz promised to continue reforms and reassured allies that Germany stays committed to its democratic values and its support for Ukraine.
- The election result may lead to Germany’s first far-right government in a state since the Nazi era.
- Some critics have called for Merz to be replaced as CDU leader, but he remains determined to stay in office.
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