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German Politics

All articles tagged with #german politics

politics12 days ago•1 min saved

Merz Confronts 'Historic Rupture' as AfD Secures First State Parliament Presidency

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned recent electoral defeats as a 'historic rupture' after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured its first state parliament presidency in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD’s Tobias Rausch was elected speaker with support from the far-left BSW and alleged secret votes from CDU members, triggering a crisis within Merz’s coalition. Simultaneously, the Left Party won the Berlin state election, promising to nationalize housing. Merz’s approval rating has hit a record low, with major tests looming in North Rhine-Westphalia.

via Al Jazeera|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz

politics12 days ago•1 min saved

Saxony-Anhalt Vote Breaches Germany’s ‘Firewall’ as AfD Secures First Regional Speaker

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces a new crisis after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) elected Tobias Rausch as the first regional parliament speaker in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The secret ballot revealed four unexpected votes, which the AfD claims came from Christian Democratic Union (CDU) members, breaching the long-standing political 'firewall' against the party. While Merz denies CDU involvement, suggesting potential 'false flag' operations, the result threatens the stability of his coalition and the party’s credibility. The AfD now seeks to form a government in December, with lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund claiming negotiations with CDU members are progressing, despite official denials from CDU leadership.

via Financial Times|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz

politics14 days ago

AfD Candidate Rausch Becomes First Far-Right Speaker of a German State Parliament Since 1945

Tobias Rausch of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) was elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament on October 6, 2026, marking the first time a far-right party has held this position in a German state legislature since 1945. Rausch, 35, won with 48 votes in an 83-seat chamber, despite the AfD holding only 39 seats. His victory relied on support from the far-left Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) and four unidentified lawmakers from other parties, breaking the post-war 'firewall' consensus against cooperating with the AfD. The AfD’s September election victory in Saxony-Anhalt, where it won 44% of the vote, set the stage for this breakthrough. The next major test is in December, when AfD leader Ulrich Siegmund will seek to become state premier, though the BSW has stated it will not support him. The election has intensified debates over the normalization of the AfD and sparked protests in Magdeburg.

via BBC|

#afd #bsw #german-politics

politics14 days ago•131 min saved

AfD's First State Parliament President Elected Amid Migrant Anxiety and Political Firewalls

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has secured its first-ever presidency of a regional parliament in Germany since 1945, with Tobias Rausch elected speaker of the Saxony-Anhalt Landtag. This follows the party's landslide victory in September, where it won nearly 44% of the vote. The election, which relied on secret support from other parties, has intensified fears among migrants in eastern Germany and sparked a national debate over the traditional 'firewall' against extremist parties.

via AP News|

#afd #german-politics #migration

politics17 days ago•4 min saved

EU leaders scramble for contingency plans as Merz’s collapse threatens German stability

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faces unprecedented political turmoil, with approval ratings at historic lows and his CDU party suffering catastrophic losses in recent state elections. While domestic opponents celebrate his decline, EU officials in Brussels are alarmed by the potential for a leadership vacuum or a far-right government in Europe’s largest economy. Two EU governments have begun internal contingency planning for Merz’s potential ouster, fearing disruptions to critical negotiations on the EU’s 2 trillion euro budget and industrial policy. Although a successor from the CDU or SPD is likely to replace him immediately, the political instability is already complicating Berlin’s stance on key EU issues, including car emissions and social media regulations.

via politico.eu|

#afd #cdu #european-union

politics29 days ago•5 min saved

Merz faces historic CDU collapse as AfD and Die Linke surge in German state elections

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing a severe political crisis after his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) failed to cross the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a historic first for the party. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won the state with 38%, while the hard-left Die Linke surged in Berlin. Merz, whose approval rating has hit a record low of 13%, vowed to stay in office and push through reforms despite internal party turmoil and coalition tensions.

via Financial Times|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

Merz Defies Leadership Crisis as CDU Faces Historic Defeats in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed to remain in office despite his Christian Democratic Union (CDU) facing historic losses in the Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state elections. Polls indicate the CDU may fall below the 5% parliamentary threshold in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and lose power in Berlin to the far-left Die Linke. These results follow the far-right AfD’s recent victory in Saxony-Anhalt, intensifying pressure on Merz, whose approval rating has dropped to approximately 14%. While some party insiders suggest a leadership change, Merz has convened an emergency meeting to demand loyalty and continue his reform agenda.

via Financial Times|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz

politics1 month ago•4 min saved

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.

via ft.com|

#afd-surge #cdu-crisis #friedrich-merz

politics1 month ago•6 min saved

Schwesig’s ‘Woman Against Blue’ Strategy Threatens Merz’s Coalition in Mecklenburg

Manuela Schwesig, the SPD leader in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is poised to halt the far-right AfD’s advance in a Sunday regional election. Her populist campaign, which attacks Chancellor Friedrich Merz for failing to address cost-of-living issues, has turned the race into a two-party contest. This strategy has crashed the CDU’s support to historic lows, potentially destabilizing the national coalition and boosting Schwesig’s chances of becoming a future chancellor candidate.

via politico.eu|

#afd #friedrich-merz #german-politics

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

AfD Leader Siegmund Links Arms Production to Deportation Plans, Drawing Sharp Criticism

AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund sparked outrage by linking arms production to his party's deportation plans, drawing sharp criticism from rivals and raising questions about the party's governing intentions.

via euronews.com|

#afd #elbit-systems #german-politics

politics1 month ago

Merz Labels AfD Remigration Policy 'Ethnic Cleansing' in Volatile Bundestag Clash

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the far-right AfD's 'remigration' policy as 'ethnic cleansing' during a heated Bundestag debate, following the party's significant electoral victory in Saxony-Anhalt. The exchange highlighted deepening tensions between the federal government and the AfD, with Merz warning that mass deportations would cripple essential services like healthcare and hospitality. In response, AfD co-leader Alice Weidel accused the current coalition of failing to address security and migration issues, declaring that the era of 'business as usual' had ended. The confrontation occurred three days after the AfD secured nearly 44% of the vote in Saxony-Anhalt, a result that has unsettled European political observers and prompted Merz to cancel a scheduled call with U.S. President Donald Trump, who had praised the AfD's gains.

via Euronews.com|

#afd #alice-weidel #friedrich-merz

politics1 month ago•2 min saved

AfD Landslide in Saxony-Anhalt Forces Merz to Reassess Germany's 'Firewall' Strategy

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured a historic 43.8% victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, far outpacing the CDU's 17.2%. Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the result 'profoundly shocking' but vowed to maintain his course, while the AfD seeks to form a minority government despite lacking an absolute majority. The outcome has intensified debates over the 'firewall' policy and the feasibility of the AfD's radical manifesto, which includes mass deportations and curriculum changes.

via Euronews.com|

#afd #friedrich-merz #german-politics

geopolitics1 month ago•4 min saved

Bulgarian PM Blames Western Aid for Leipzig Attack as Germany Escalates Response

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev suggested that Western military support for Ukraine provoked Russia’s recent drone attack on Germany’s Leipzig Airport. While Berlin officially blamed Moscow for the August incident and announced countermeasures, Radev characterized European aid as reckless warmongering. This stance contrasts with the broader EU and NATO response, which has intensified sanctions and security measures against Russia despite domestic political challenges in Germany.

via The Kyiv Independent|

#eu-foreign-policy #geopolitics #german-politics

politics1 month ago•0 min saved

Saxony-Anhalt Election: AfD Nears Historic Far-Right State Victory Amid Deepening Social Fractures

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is poised to become the first far-right party to lead a German state government since World War II, with exit polls in Saxony-Anhalt showing a commanding lead. The party’s candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, has promised a radical shift in migration policy, including mass deportations, while minority communities and local experts warn of severe social and economic consequences. The outcome remains uncertain due to coalition dynamics, but the election marks a pivotal moment for German democracy and European far-right movements.

via France 24|

#afd #far-right #german-politics

politics1 month ago•6 min saved

Merz’s Low-Profile Campaign Highlights CDU’s Crisis in Saxony-Anhalt

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is keeping a low profile during the CDU’s campaign in Saxony-Anhalt as the party faces a potential defeat to the far-right AfD. Merz’s unpopularity is dragging down national support for the CDU, while the AfD has overtaken the conservatives in polls. The upcoming election could force the CDU into difficult coalition negotiations or a minority government, threatening the stability of Merz’s coalition and the broader European political landscape.

via Financial Times|

#afd #cdu #friedrich-merz