Conservative politicians warn Merz govt could collapse

CSU leader Markus Söder in Bavaria has issued a stark warning that the federal government could collapse, citing the current debate surrounding Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Söder expressed concern that if the last coalition under Olaf Scholz were to fail, a new democratic government might also soon follow, creating a series of successive failures.

This dire scenario, he said, would provide the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) with an ideal opportunity to gain power. Söder urged all coalition members to "pull themselves together and step it up a notch," emphasizing the need for improved government work, faster decision-making, better communication, and a focus on essential issues.

Saxony’s Premier and deputy CDU chairman, Michael Kretschmer, described the election result as "a debacle, a disaster," and called for the implementation of right policy conclusions.