Merz’s eastern nightmare is far from over
The weakened German leader wants to overcome humiliating losses to the far right in eastern elections — but the prospect of the AfD's biggest win yet haunts his chancellorship.
Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor, continues to face challenges following the conservative party's historic defeats in eastern Germany. His biggest test may still lie ahead as the Alternative for Germany (AfD) aims to install the first far-right state premier since World War II in Saxony-Anhalt when lawmakers vote in December. Merz's own party in Berlin fears that regional members may help the AfD achieve this, creating a nightmare scenario.
Concerns have arisen after accusations of a group of Saxony-Anhalt conservatives voting for the AfD's candidate for state speaker in a secret ballot, outraging national conservative leaders. Saxony-Anhalt CDU leader Sven Schulze has announced a plan to have his party's lawmakers leave the chamber during the initial two rounds of voting, ensuring none can vote for the far-right candidate.
AfD leaders openly seek defections from conservative ranks, aiming to sow division among conservatives. Merz is alarmed by the prospect of CDU lawmakers covertly assisting the AfD, fearing his chancellorship's greatest political crisis.
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