{
  "id": 6788117,
  "title": "Union: Apocalyptic mood at the CDU - is the power struggle for Merz already beginning?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/union-endzeitstimmung-bei-der-cdu-beginnt-jetzt-schon-der-machtkampf",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-11T18:42:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/union-endzeitstimmung-bei-der-cdu-showdown-beim-sonderparteitag/100253967.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "The CDU is in turmoil after a severe election defeat in Saxony-Anhalt, with infighting and power struggles erupting publicly on social media. The party's base, state associations, and federal leadership are all affected, with questions being raised about the party's future without Chancellor Merkel and/or party leader Merz. The unrest comes ahead of important elections in Niedersachsen, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The situation is causing concern that the party may collapse.",
  "summary": "The election debacle in Saxony-Anhalt is causing sadness, anger and panic in the CDU. Power struggles are breaking out, district chairmen are demanding special meetings. How long can party leader Merz hold on?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Dominika Langenmayr: Merz und Klingbeil dürfen jetzt nicht vor der AfD kuschen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/dominika-langenmayr-merz-und-klingbeil-durfen-jetzt-nicht-vor-der-afd",
        "published": "2026-09-10T07:45:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}