Merz pledges reset as he admits German conservatives don’t have the ‘answers’
The chancellor is clinging to power, promising a political reset to unite the CDU’s rank and file behind his leadership.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a significant overhaul of his party's platform and decision-making processes on Monday following a devastating electoral defeat. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won nearly 40% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a northeastern state, effectively dismantling Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) presence in the region.
"It is a dramatic and unprecedented result for the CDU," Merz told reporters at the party's headquarters in Berlin, adding that the outcome would have long-lasting repercussions. Party officials had warned that an outcome below 5% for the CDU in the state would trigger intense criticism and calls for a leadership change. Despite the odds, Merz is holding onto his position for now.
However, a potential leadership change may become necessary if party members begin speaking out against him. In response to the defeat, Merz pledged to discuss the CDU's work and structure, platform, and public image with his party's leadership. He emphasized the need to attract a diverse range of voters and develop a new approach to working together with state premiers.
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