The former CDU party leader speaks of a bitter blow for the party and the Federal Republic.
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The CDU suffered a bitter defeat in Saxony-Anhalt, halving its share of the vote, while the AfD enjoyed success.
Former Chancellor Angela Merkel was dismayed by the AfD's electoral success in Saxony-Anhalt. This is simply shocking, said the former CDU party leader at Deutsche Telekom's Digital X trade fair. Her party suffered a bitter defeat in the state and saw its share of the vote halved. “As a CDU member, my heart bleeds,” said the Christian Democrat. "This is a turning point, a real turning point, that we are experiencing in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany."
Merkel recommended a different type of communication in order to better reach the population and better explain progress. “Addressing citizens individually” has probably become more important than before, said the long-time Chancellor. Compared to before, democratic parties now have to seek more contact with citizens.
BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht and the BSW parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt support the AfD's claim to the office of state parliament president. With the BSW's votes, the AfD would have the necessary majority for the first such office in Germany.

Sven Schulze was elected as the new chairman of the CDU parliamentary group in the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt. He prevailed in a close battle vote. At the same time, there are reports of calls for the resignation of CDU federal chairman Friedrich Merz.

North Rhine-Westphalia Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst proposes a federal-state working group to legally examine how to deal with the AfD. While the Greens welcome the initiative, CSU politicians warn against a ban and are relying on political debate.
After the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, the Greens are open to a non-partisan Prime Minister. Top candidate Susan Sziborra-Seidlitz described this as an unusual idea, but a possible way out of the difficult majority situation.
Despite record funds available, the Berlin Senate invested significantly less money in cycling in 2025 than possible. Only around 27 million euros went into the expansion, which further reduced the number of kilometers completed.

Federal Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil presented his draft budget for the coming year in the Bundestag. Spending of around 555 billion euros and new debts of almost 119 billion euros are planned.