Germany’s embattled leader, Friedrich Merz, has tried to rally support for his struggling chancellorship among senior members of his conservative party after it suffered heavy losses in two state elections. Merz, who has promised that his divided coalition government will push ahead with an unpopular reform agenda, met with Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leaders in Berlin early on Monday. He brushed aside speculation about his position, saying it was essential for the country’s “democratic future” that he and his coalition government stayed in office. Germany faces political uncertainty as Merz, 70, clings to power after three major defeats this month, with the CDU voted out of a state parliament for the first time, and the far right and far left making big gains at its expense. Latest German election humiliation puts Merz on borrowed time as CDU unrest grows Read more Merz vowed to keep fighting on Sunday, election day in Berlin and the coastal northern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. But after the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) won in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for the third time in a German state, taking 38%, his position looked increasingly fragile. The anti-immigration, pro-Russia AfD’s leaders on Monday predicted Merz would be out of office within months, as they set their sights on winning the next federal election in 2029. “The chancellor certainly won’t make it to the end of the year,” said Leif-Erik Holm, the AfD’s top candidate in Mecklenburg. “I think the twilight of the chancellor’s era has begun.” On Monday, Merz made clear he had no intention of resigning, saying his government was “determined to live up to the historic responsibilities our country is facing”. He added: “It is about nothing less, and nothing more, than the democratic future of our country.” Merz described the results as a “disaster”, especially the CDU’s ejection from the state parliament of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where it failed to reach the 5% threshold after losing more than half of its voters to the far-right AfD and centre-left Social Democrats. The result was even more shocking because Mecklenburg was once a CDU stronghold. In Berlin, the CDU fell to second place behind the far-left Linke party, which is on track to lead the next government in the city-state and could give Berlin its first Turkish-born mayor in its lead candidate, Elif Eralp. View image in fullscreen The AfD’s Leif-Erik Holm, Kristin Brinker, Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla after the state election results. Photograph: snapshot/Future Image/B Elmenthaler/Shutterstock In Mecklenburg, the SPD under its existing state leader, Manuela Schwesig, is expected to lead a three-party coalition government. Her campaign focused almost entirely on presenting herself as a bulwark against the AfD, as well as distancing herself from the federal government’s reform agenda. The SPD is Merz’s coalition partner in the federal government. Although the CDU’s poor performance had been predicted, Sunday’s outcomes only added to the extreme pressure on Merz already after the CDU’s crushing defeat to the AfD in the state of Saxony-Anhalt two weeks ago, which triggered the first serious speculation over his future as leader. Last week, the CDU’s powerful regional leaders governing in eight states gave their backing to Merz, but questions remain as to how long their support will last. At the same time there appear to be few candidates willing to take on the post, which is increasingly seen as a poisoned chalice. On Monday, Merz dismissed the idea that the election results were a personal rebuke. “The reasons for these election results go far beyond my own person,” he said. “We are witnessing a profound transformation of the political party system in Germany as well as in many other countries around the world.” Karin Prien, the education minister and deputy CDU leader, accepted accusations that the government was failing to take votersShe said people’s fears had not been taken seriously enough. But she added that the government had no choice but to keep trying to reform Germany from within, at a time of ongoing economic weakness and global instability.
“Without support and steadfastness we will not be able to achieve the necessary reforms, which are by no means a given. Nevertheless, not everything can remain as it is,” she told the broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.
“The chancellor knows he will have to change, at least in how he addresses the people … We are a strong country, we have every chance of mastering this challenge together, but I believe that cooperating with each other will be crucial for this, and for the party it means we must broaden our appeal.”
Doubts about whether the government’s agenda was effective and fair played a major role in both election campaigns. The agenda includes an overhaul of the pension system, a reduction in excessive bureaucracy and cuts to income tax for the less well-off.
On Monday, SPD leaders said they remained confident in their coalition with the CDU, but said changes to the agenda were necessary.
Lars Klingbeil, the deputy chancellor and finance minister, said: “Saying we will ignore what the voters said to us in three state polls won’t work.”
While the country needed reforms, he said, they “must be fair and they need support in the population.” Labour minister Bärbel Bas, also of the SPD, said the plans needed a “reality check”, but said “nothing would be more lethal than letting this coalition break apart over some technicality”.
Adding to Merz’s problems, the Kremlin on Monday joined the election analysis, calling the AfD’s win in Mecklenburg a response to Berlin’s refusal to buy cheap Russian gas, which has shaken the economy and caused prices to soar, contributing to voter dissatisfaction.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “Naturally, Germans, or at least some of them, are looking for an alternative to the current authorities in order to improve their situation. That is a natural process.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the German chancellor holding on to power after another defeat by the farright AfD
1 What happened in the German election
The farright party Alternative for Germany won more votes than the chancellors party in a recent state election This is a major defeat for the chancellors coalition government
2 Who is the German chancellor
Olaf Scholz He leads the Social Democratic Party and heads a threeparty coalition government
3 What is the AfD
Alternative for Germany is a farright political party It is known for antiimmigrant policies climate change skepticism and criticism of the European Union
4 Why is this a big deal
The AfD is now the strongest or secondstrongest party in several German states This shows growing support for the far right and weakens the chancellors authority
5 How can the chancellor stay in power after losing
Germanys system is different from a simple presidential system The chancellor is chosen by a parliamentary majority not directly by voters Losing a state election does not automatically remove him from office
6 What is a state election in Germany
Germany has 16 states Each state holds its own elections for its state parliament These elections do not directly change the national government but they are a strong signal of public opinion
7 Can the chancellor be forced out
Yes but it is difficult The parliament can remove a chancellor with a constructive vote of no confidence This means they must first agree on a replacement chancellor This has only happened once in German history
8 Why doesnt the chancellor just resign
He likely believes his coalition can still govern and pass laws Resigning would trigger a political crisis and possibly new national elections His party may also have no clear successor
9 What problems does this cause for the chancellor
He becomes a lame duck weaker in negotiations His coalition partners may challenge him more The opposition including the AfD gains more attention and influence
10 What is a lame duck chancellor
A leader who still holds office but has little real power left Others stop taking them seriously because they know their time is limited
11 What does the AfD want
The AfD wants to leave the European Union
