AI-generated summary
After the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt at the beginning of September, the CDU lost almost 20 percentage points. At the beginning of October, AfD candidate Ulrich Siegmund was elected state parliament president after receiving four more votes than expected in a secret ballot. This led to speculation about support from the CDU parliamentary group.
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AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The CDU will take internal disciplinary measures against MPs who support the AfD.
Likely · Within weeks
If the Merz federal government fails, the likelihood of new elections with a potentially stronger AfD result increases.
Possible · Within months

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After losing three state elections and polls below 20 percent, the CDU leadership is meeting in Berlin to discuss energy promises, pension reform and internal disputes. Gordon Schnieder calls for a reduction in electricity taxes and criticizes the focus on personnel debates instead of on citizens' living costs.

The black-red coalition is facing growing challenges: reform projects from the summer are stalling, while the election of AfD politician Tobias Rausch as state parliament president in Saxony-Anhalt is putting a strain on trust between the CDU/CSU and the SPD. Business and politics warn of time pressure, while experts emphasize internal conflict resolution and clear communication as the key to the ability to govern.

After a joint dinner between BSW and AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, which was organized by the right-wing extremist Compact magazine, BSW members criticized the proximity to the AfD. Party leaders such as Sahra Wagenknecht and Fabio De Masi distanced themselves from the meeting, while BSW state deputy parliamentary group leader Claudia Wittig admitted a mistake and emphasized that such events would not be repeated.

The British historian Timothy Garton Ash warns of an existential threat to Europe from populism and an alienated liberal center. He calls for a robust democracy and more emotional intelligence from politicians in order to overcome social divisions.
Nine agriculture ministers from the CDU and CSU are protesting against the planned sugar tax. Instead, they call for personal responsibility and nutrition education instead of government intervention and warn of economic burdens for farmers and manufacturers.