Germany’s Political Crisis Deepens as Pressure Mounts on Chancellor Friedrich Merz

The political crisis surrounding German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is deepening. Following his party’s crushing defeat in the Saxony-Anhalt elections, and ahead of two more electoral tests on Sunday, Merz has decided to cancel his trip to New York next week and remain in Berlin.

A source in the German government said that "contrary to the original plans, the chancellor will not travel to New York next week because his presence is needed in Berlin." Merz had been scheduled to address the UN General Assembly and receive the Henry Kissinger Prize from the American Academy in Berlin. His participation in the award ceremony was initially canceled, and now the entire trip has been called off. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will represent Germany and speak in his place.

Pressure on the chancellor surged after the September 6 election in Saxony-Anhalt, where the Alternative for Germany party (AfD) won 43.8% of the vote, compared with just 17.2% for the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU). Following the result, AfD leader Alice Weidel declared that the CDU was "dead" and called for new federal elections.

Now, the party fears another defeat. According to polls, the CDU stands at just 7% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, slightly above the 5% electoral threshold. In Berlin, it is tied with the Left Party at 20% each, while the AfD is expected to gain strength.

Against this backdrop, internal party figures say confidence in Merz has eroded, with some even believing he should step down. Ministers and state premiers, however, have rallied behind him. Merz has called the party leadership to a special meeting on Sunday, and on Tuesday he is expected to meet with the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction.

Merz himself has rejected the possibility of leaving: "I was elected for four years, and I want us to use these four years to bring the country out of this difficult period."