Eight CDU state premiers publicly back Chancellor Merz amid AfD surge

Chancellor Merz Receives Public Backing from Eight CDU State Premiers as AfD Gains

Eight state premiers from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) publicly affirmed their support for Chancellor Friedrich Merz after sharp losses for the party and a surge by the Alternative for Germany (AfD), saying stability and action must take precedence over personnel debates.

The premiers—leaders of Schleswig-Holstein, Saxony, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia—wrote that restoring trust in the CDU requires listening and political action rather than internal leadership disputes.

Their statement followed the CDU’s heavy defeat in Saxony-Anhalt, where the AfD won 43.8% and the CDU fell to 17.2%, a result that increased speculation about Merz’s political future despite his vow to continue in office.

Merz described the AfD as a “destructive force” and criticized its migration stance as amounting to an “ethnic cleansing” of skilled workers; the AfD announced it would file a defamation complaint in response.

Polling shows low public confidence in the chancellor’s suitability for office, with a recent Bild poll indicating 14% believe he is right for the role, intensifying scrutiny of his leadership ahead of state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The eight CDU premiers emphasized the need for a stable and effective federal government with its own majority in the Bundestag, reflecting intra-party concern about electoral losses and the AfD’s rise. The Saxony-Anhalt outcome and the premiers’ public backing together highlight intensified internal CDU debate over tactical response to voter shifts, with party officials arranging a coordination meeting ahead of the Berlin and Mecklenburg-West Pomerania votes.

Polling data cited in the source underscores diverging regional prospects: the AfD’s lead in Saxony-Anhalt contrasts with a more competitive field in Berlin and a possible AfD lead but likely shortfall of majority in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Eight CDU state premiers publicly backed Chancellor Friedrich Merz, urging action over personnel debates.
• The AfD won 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt while the CDU fell to 17.2%, intensifying leadership speculation.
• Merz faced criticism and a planned AfD defamation complaint after describing the party as a “destructive force”.