German chancellor vows to stay in office after AfD's landslide in Saxony-Anhalt
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he will remain in office despite the far-right AfD's near-44% landslide victory over his CDU in the Saxony-Anhalt state election. The result brings the AfD close to forming Germany's first far-right state government since the Nazi era.
A shaken Friedrich Merz told reporters in Berlin on Monday that Sunday's Saxony-Anhalt election result had shocked his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) "to its very foundations," after the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) won nearly 44% of the vote, far outpacing the CDU.
The AfD, led by candidate Ulrich Siegmund, fell short of an absolute majority but is only three seats away from one, raising the possibility of Germany's first far-right state government since the Nazi period. Merz acknowledged his own unpopularity — with just 9% approval in one poll — contributed to the defeat, calling it the CDU's worst result in decades.
Discontent and historical responsibility
Exit polls pointed to deep voter dissatisfaction with the political establishment and management of the economy. Siegmund, 35, a former fragrance salesman, tapped into resentment among eastern Germans who feel treated as "second-class citizens" decades after reunification, and mockingly called Merz "a very good campaigner" for the AfD.
Merz pledged to press ahead with reforms to healthcare and pension systems for the sake of future generations, even as coalition partner the Social Democrats signaled willingness to soften contested measures. He assured allies that Germany's institutions remain stable and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russia without wavering.
Merz accused Moscow of backing the AfD's campaign. Despite the loss, the CDU rallied around its leader, though several prominent commentators, including Der Spiegel's editor-in-chief, publicly called for his replacement. Saxony-Anhalt's CDU state premier, Sven Schulze, conceded the party now has "no mandate" to govern.
Germany's domestic intelligence service classifies the AfD's Saxony-Anhalt branch as a confirmed rightwing extremist group. Two more state elections are due on 20 September, in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the AfD is also strong.
