In Germany, AfD's performance in Saxony-Anhalt weakens Friedrich Merz
'Deeply shocked' by the far right's regional victory on Sunday, the chancellor now has to contend with his coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party, which wants to renegotiate pension reform. For its part, Alternative for Germany says it aims to reach 40% of the vote at the federal level by 2029.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remained resolute in his commitment to pursue unpopular reforms for Germany's largest economy following a far-right party's decisive win in a regional election. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, known for its anti-migration and Russia-friendly stances, narrowly missed securing a majority in Saxony-Anhalt, an eastern state that had become a focal point for the AfD's ambitions.
Merz, deeply shaken by the CDU's (Christian Democratic Union) significant electoral setback, affirmed his determination to remain in power and stated that "giving up is not an option for me." Despite the AfD's victory being a major distraction for Germany and Merz at a time when Europe faces numerous challenges, he maintained that the nation would uphold its values and stance towards Russia.
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