Merz reacts to historic AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt, vows to continue reforms

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was “deeply shocked” on Monday September 7 by the historic victory of the far right during a regional election the day before, while promising to maintain the course of his reforms but explaining them better. “My determination is to continue the course of reforms, without disruption, but I know that (...) we must explain them better,” he said after a meeting of the leadership of his conservative party, the CDU, while recognizing that he had a responsibility in this defeat and that the electoral growth of the AfD party was changing the situation “across Germany”.

“Giving up is not an option”

Very unpopular, weighed down by disputes within his coalition with the social democrats over the reforms to be carried out, and several blunders, he acknowledged having a responsibility in this defeat while insisting on his “determination” to govern. “Nothing more or less depends on the future of our country,” he said, before recalling that he had been “elected for four years” since 2025, thus seeming to rule out any resignation. “Giving up is not an option.”

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As for the victory of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Saxony-Anhalt (east), he judged that it had to be accepted “in a democracy” but promised to defend “the fundamental law”, while the AfD is regularly accused of authoritarian temptations, racism and links with the neo-Nazi movement. “We know that Germany, because of its history, has a special responsibility. We will always preserve our political order and our solid footing in Europe,” he said. He recognized that the electoral growth of the AfD was a game-changer “across Germany”.

The AfD has a “mandate to govern”

The chancellor also recalled that two other regional elections were planned for September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (north) where the AfD is in the lead according to the polls, and in Berlin where CDU, far left and far right are neck and neck. As for Saxony-Anhalt, its conservative leader beaten on Sunday, Sven Schulze, recognized that the Alternative for Germany has a “mandate to govern”, even if it is three elected officials short of reaching an absolute majority.