Meretz describes his party's loss as dramatic and warns against the rise in the AfD's fortunes

Mertz said during a meeting of the federal body of the Christian Democratic Union that the party "lost these elections dramatically," considering that the result represents a "profound turning point" for the party.

He stressed that overcoming the repercussions of the result requires the party leadership to speak frankly about internal problems, while at the same time preserving the unity of the Christian Democratic Union.

The rise of the Alternative puts pressure on the Christian Democratic Union.

Mertz warned that the Alternative for Germany party seeks to "completely destroy" the Christian Democratic Union, stressing that cooperation between the two parties is not possible.

He believes that his country is facing a "radical transformation in the party system" against the backdrop of the rise of the Alternative for Germany, considering that the government and the ruling party cannot simply return to the usual political agenda.

Merz said that Germany has a strong constitution and the necessary tools to protect it from the rise of an extreme right-wing government to power at the state level, but he acknowledged that the ongoing transformation in the party map “shakes the party to its foundations.”

The crisis of communication with voters.

Meretz's assessment was not limited to the competition with the Alternative for Germany, as he acknowledged the existence of a problem within his party in communicating with voters, saying that the Christian Democratic Union was unable to find "an emotional connection with the people."

The Chancellor pointed to the absence of emotional popular support for the party, stressing that this problem cannot be ignored, in reference to the challenge facing the Christian Democratic Union in regaining the confidence of voters and strengthening its position in the face of the rise of the Alternative for Germany.

Merz's statements come in the wake of the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament elections, which constituted a new test for the German party scene, especially in light of the growing presence of right-wing forces competing with the traditional parties.