Merz vows to stay on as German chancellor after far-right AfD's landslide in Saxony-Anhalt

Appearing ashen-faced before reporters in Berlin on Monday, Merz acknowledged the scale of the AfD's triumph in the eastern state, which has brought anti-immigrant, pro-Kremlin politicians within striking distance of power. The chancellor made clear he would not step down, even as the result sent shockwaves through Germany's political establishment.

The AfD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt marks the latest milestone in the party's steady rise in parts of the former East Germany, where frustration with migration policy, economic stagnation, and the fallout from the war in Ukraine has fueled support for populist alternatives. The CDU, which has traditionally dominated the region, saw its vote share collapse.

Merz's determination to stay at the helm comes as his coalition government — a three-way alliance that includes the Social Democrats and the Greens — faces mounting pressure over its handling of energy prices, inflation, and border security. The state election result is widely seen as a bellwether for next year's federal contest, raising the prospect of further gains for the AfD nationally.

The chancellor offered no immediate policy concessions in response to the defeat, but the CDU is expected to intensify its focus on internal security and migration controls in an effort to win back disillusioned voters.

Why This Matters

The AfD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt signals a hardening of right-wing populism in Germany, challenging the post-war political consensus.
Merz's refusal to resign keeps the current coalition government intact but may force policy shifts on migration and security.
With federal elections looming, the result could accelerate realignment among mainstream parties and test Germany's democratic institutions.

Background

The AfD was founded in 2013 as a eurosceptic party and has since shifted hard to the right, capitalising on anti-immigration sentiment and distrust of the political elite. It is now strongest in eastern Germany, where it has won multiple state parliaments. Saxony-Anhalt is one of its key strongholds. Merz took over as CDU leader and chancellor in a turbulent period, succeeding Angela Merkel's centrist legacy with a more conservative agenda.

Key Perspectives

Friedrich Merz and the CDU: The chancellor insists on staying despite the blow, portraying himself as a steady hand. The CDU now faces an urgent internal debate about whether to shift further right or hold the centre. Alternative für Deutschland (AfD): The party’s victory emboldens its leadership to push harder for immigration curbs and closer ties with Russia, while demanding early federal elections. Critics and moderates: Opposition voices warn that Merz's strategy of trying to outflank the AfD on the right has failed, and that the centrist parties must present a clearer alternative to avoid further erosion.

What to Watch

Whether the CDU adjusts its platform on asylum and European integration ahead of the 2027 federal election.
The response from Merz's coalition partners, the SPD and Greens, who may demand a harder line on social spending to offset the rightward drift.
Potential defections from CDU state branches to the AfD, and any new splinter movement from the centre-right.

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