German Elections: AfD Gains Threaten Chancellor Merz's Grip on Power
Voting opens in key state elections where the far-right AfD party is poised for significant gains, potentially destabilizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government.
Polling stations opened Sunday in two German state elections, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party expected to secure substantial gains that could challenge Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ability to maintain power and advance his reform agenda.
The elections are being held in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and in the capital, Berlin. These votes follow a recent election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD narrowly missed achieving a majority, a result that shook many in Germany and raised concerns about the nation's confrontation with its Nazi past.
The AfD, which campaigns on an anti-migration and pro-Russia platform, has its strongest opportunity yet to form the first far-right regional government in Germany since World War II. While the party is projected to perform well in both states, its path to power in Berlin is not considered realistic. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the AfD faces a more formidable challenge from the incumbent center-left governor compared to the situation in Saxony-Anhalt.
The prospects for Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) appear less optimistic. The party risks losing its mayoral office in Berlin. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a particularly weak area for the CDU, the party could fall below the 5% threshold required to enter the state legislature for the first time.
Merz, who assumed the chancellorship 16 months ago with a mandate to revitalize Germany's sluggish economy, has struggled to improve the national mood and has become an increasingly unpopular figure. The AfD's strong performance in Saxony-Anhalt has further weakened his standing nationally, leading to calls from within his own party to consider leadership changes, though many have cautioned against such debates.
In anticipation of a challenging post-election period, Merz has canceled a planned trip to New York for the upcoming UN General Assembly. Despite the political headwinds, he has stated his determination to remain in office and complete his term.