Merkel calls for a fight for democracy – AfD as a pan-German phenomenon

New York. A week before the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt, former Chancellor Angela Merkel called for people to stand up for democracy. “I think we now have to really fight for this democracy again, which we haven't had to do for many decades, and just stand up and be a little brave and keep our word and say that this is a great way to live,” said the CDU politician at an event in Berlin.

She emphasized that the majority of people do not vote for the AfD. It is true that the AfD is very strong in the new federal states. But it has also become stronger in the old federal states. “It has become a pan-German phenomenon,” said Merkel. For example, the party also made gains in the state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.

With a view to the election campaign in Saxony-Anhalt, Merkel said that the AfD had partly managed to “dominate all of our conversations from morning to evening.” We no longer know what the other parties actually want. A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6th. The AfD is clearly ahead in polls for the state elections.