Merz Defies Internal Pressure as CDU Faces Historic Low in Eastern Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing a potential leadership crisis ahead of Sunday’s regional elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. After the far-right AfD won a shock victory in Saxony-Anhalt, the CDU is polling below the 5% threshold needed for parliamentary representation in the latter state. Merz has skipped the UN General Assembly to hold an emergency party meeting, refusing to step down despite internal calls for his resignation. A loss in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the home state of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, would be a historic low for the party and could destabilize Europe’s support for Ukraine.