Merz sidelined as CDU battles AfD surge in Saxony-Anhalt regional poll
Merz has kept a low profile as the CDU fights a rising AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right party could win an outright majority; nationwide, CDU/CSU support has slipped to around 20-22% while the AfD sits near the top at about 28%, highlighting internal strains and potential shifts in coalition dynamics ahead of next year’s elections.