Friedrich Merz warns about the rise of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that the country has all the necessary tools to defend the constitutional order in the face of the possibility of a regional government led by the extreme right, according to the newspaper Bild.

The statements come hours after the Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a historic result in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, with nearly 44% of the votes, leaving it just three seats short of an absolute majority in the Magdeburg parliament.

Merz also warned that Germany is facing a "tectonic shift" in its party system, according to the same media.

"This shakes our party to its foundations"

Merz stated that the AfD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt has shaken his party, the CDU, "to the core" and that deep, deep reflection is needed.

"This shakes our party to its foundations. We cannot simply continue as before, neither I nor the federal government," Merz said, according to Bild.

The chancellor also pointed out that his party is failing to connect with people on an emotional level, according to the same source.

ELECTIONS

The result represents a serious setback for the CDU, which did not win a single direct district in the 41 constituencies of Saxony-Anhalt and remained around 17-18% of the votes, well below the AfD. The federal leadership of the AfD, led by Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, is putting pressure on its regional section to try to take over the government of Saxony-Anhalt, in what they consider a rehearsal for the 2029 federal elections.