{
  "id": 6479302,
  "title": "Merz slams AfD as ‘disruptive force’ after landslide in Saxony-Anhalt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/merz-slams-afd-as-disruptive-force-after-landslide-in-saxony-anhalt",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T21:44:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Qatar Tribune",
    "slug": "qatar-tribune",
    "url": "https://www.qatar-tribune.com/article/253008/world/merz-slams-afd-as-disruptive-force-after-landslide-in-saxony-anhalt"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz harshly criticized the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a \"destructive force\" following their significant electoral victory in Saxony-Anhalt last weekend. Merz and AfD co-leader Alice Weidel faced off in parliament for the first time since the election, which saw the anti-immigrant AfD secure 43.8% of the vote, just shy of an absolute majority. Meanwhile, Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) lost nearly 20 percentage points, polling at 17.2%.\n\nAccusing the AfD of harboring \"contempt for our democratic institutions\" and \"constantly belittling our state's representatives,\" Merz denounced the party's support for \"remigration,\" a term often used in far-right circles to refer to large-scale deportations, as akin to \"ethnic cleansing\" based on origin and skin color. He also lambasted the pro-Russian AfD for its backing of Moscow, emphasizing Germany's commitment to supporting Kiev, as Ukraine defends the freedom that Germany itself defends. Emphasizing the AfD's inability to achieve an absolute majority with its policies anywhere in Germany, Merz described the party as a \"destructive force\" intent on destabilizing the nation.",
  "summary": "dpaberlinGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday went on the offensive against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), calling it a “destructive force” intent on destabi...",
  "key_points": [
    "Merz calls AfD a \"destructive force\" after Saxony-Anhalt victory",
    "AfD secures 43.8% of vote, falling short of absolute majority",
    "Merz criticizes AfD's support for \"remigration\" and pro-Russian stance"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}