Overview
- After the CDU’s setback in Sachsen-Anhalt, pressure built on Chancellor Friedrich Merz and triggered internal debate about his future within the party.
- On Wednesday, the eight CDU minister-presidents issued a joint statement giving guarded public support to Merz and explicitly rejecting plans for a minority federal government.
- Merz canceled a planned New York trip and summoned party presidium meetings to shore up support and coordinate next steps with state leaders.
- Polls and TV duels show the AfD strong in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and competitive in Berlin, while smaller parties such as the BSW could act as kingmakers in fragmented parliaments.
- Berlin’s election authority says there is currently no evidence the vote is endangered and officials have added technical protections after a recent cyberattack, but the outcome on Sunday could still reshuffle coalition options and Merz’s standing.