As Germany's far right gains ground, weakened Merz tries to project resolve against Putin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has suffered its worst result in a regional election in postwar German history, according to the latest vote outcome. The defeat comes as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has won its second state election within two weeks, further cementing its rising influence in German politics.

Ahead of this latest setback, the CDU had already been bracing for a difficult vote in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where one conservative official warned that "all hell breaks loose" if the party failed to win any seats there. In that state, center-left state premier Manuela Schwesig came close to halting the AfD's advance — but that success came at a significant political cost to Merz, intensifying strain within his own conservative camp.

Despite party members themselves describing the result as a "disaster," Merz has vowed to remain in office and continue serving as chancellor.

A reform dilemma at home

Merz's government is also grappling with a difficult choice over economic reforms. The chancellor insists the proposed measures are necessary to revive Germany's economy and restore its competitiveness, but the reforms are proving unpopular with voters, adding to pressure on him either to redraft the proposals or to keep defending them despite the backlash.

Amid this domestic political turbulence, Merz is seeking to project an image of strength and resolve on the foreign policy stage, particularly in his stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as his position at home has grown considerably weaker.