
AI-generated summary
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pursued a tough anti-Russian policy despite his falling ratings due to domestic issues such as migration, taxes and the economic downturn. The AfD won regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with the CDU's policies. The incident with drones at Leipzig airport gave rise to official accusations against Russia, which Moscow rejected.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the near future will become extremely important for the outcome of the confrontation with Russia. His words are quoted by Reuters.
According to Merz, the coming weeks or months will be decisive for achieving peace in Europe. He made this statement at the Arctic Summit in Finland.
The German chancellor added that he wants to maintain the support of voters by convincing them that protecting Europe is supposedly in their interests. Before this, he admitted that European foreign policy issues were more important to him than the internal political crisis in Germany itself.
Earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that the North Atlantic Alliance has various options for countering Russia, some of which remain secret. According to him, the association will continue to support Ukraine, “and this support will be more, not less.”
Falling ratings
According to a survey by the sociological institute INSA, more than 70 percent of German citizens surveyed are dissatisfied with Merz's work. It is known that only 18 percent of respondents are satisfied
According to the head of the Forsa public opinion research institute, Manfred Güllner, Chancellor Merz's ratings have fallen unprecedentedly due to the large number of mistakes he has made.
Later, in September, the Alternative for Germany party won elections to the regional parliament of Saxony-Anhalt with 43.8 percent of the vote. At the same time, the ruling party Christian Democratic Union (CDU) gained 17.2 percent.
Merz's party lost in Saxony-Anhalt due to migration problems, high taxes and a declining economy, said Rene Springer, the representative of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on labor and socio-political issues
Anti-Russian policy
Merz outlined his course towards Russia and emphasized that he does not intend to change his anti-Russian policy, despite its negative impact on the ratings of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) he heads. In his opinion, Berlin needs to defend its freedom, including from Russia.
Merz also confirmed that he sought to blame Russia as quickly as possible in connection with the drone incident at Leipzig airport. “I didn’t want to wait any longer to release this information to the public,” he said.
Before this, Germany formally accused Russia of the attack on Leipzig airport. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobirindt said that Berlin holds Moscow responsible for the incident with drones. Russian Ambassador Sergei Nechaev was summoned to the country's Foreign Ministry.
On the night of August 5, two unidentified objects were discovered in the Leipzig/Halle air harbor: the first was recorded in the sky, the second was found on the ground. The drones had explosive packages attached to them, limiting airport operations. On August 25, German law enforcement officers discovered a third UAV and about 50 grams of RDX near the airport.
Russia's reaction
Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected accusations that Moscow was involved in the incident. He linked Berlin's rhetoric to the difficult situation in the German economy.
Kremlin official Dmitry Peskov said that the Russophobia of the German authorities is turning into a persecution mania. “There is a tendency to push everything and everyone onto Russia, to blame Russia for everything,” he noted.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The AfD will maintain or strengthen its position in future German elections due to dissatisfaction with Merz's policies
Likely · Within months
Tensions between Germany and Russia will continue to rise in the coming months
Likely · Within months

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