# Germany news: Merz rails against extremism, AfD sympathizers

> Chancellor Merz condemns AfD's rise in state legislatures as historic break.
- Title: Germany news: Merz rails against extremism, AfD sympathizers
- Summary: Chancellor Merz condemns AfD's rise in state legislatures as historic break. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the election of an AfD politician as…
- Keywords: germany, chancellor merz, afd, saxony-anhalt, state parliament, extremism, cdu, spart, bundestag, bnd, hanning, spain
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/germany-news-merz-rails-against-extremism-afd-sympathizers/live-79570924?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: germany, chancellor merz, afd, saxony-anhalt, state parliament, extremism, cdu, spart, bundestag, bnd, hanning, spain
## Merz calls AfD election historic break
Chancellor Merz said extremism was forcing its way into German state legislatures 'with a vengeance'.

> extremism was forcing its way into german state legislatures with a vengeance
## AfD wins first state speaker post
Tobias Rausch, an AfD politician, was elected speaker of Saxony-Anhalt state parliament for the first time since 1945.

> tobias rausch an afd politician was elected speaker of saxony-anhalt state parliament for the first time since 1945
## Merz criticizes CDU support
Merz said he was 'deeply concerned and somewhat appalled' that CDU lawmakers voted for Rausch.

> merz said he was deeply concerned and somewhat appalled that cdu lawmakers voted for rausch
## Rausch election controversial
Rausch received 48 votes but the AfD and BSW only have 44 between them in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament.

> rausch received 48 votes but the afd and bsw only have 44 between them in saxony-anhalt state parliament
## SPD questions CDU role
SPD deputy chancellor Lars Klingbeil said CDU must explain how right-wing extremists were elected speaker.

> spd deputy chancellor lars klingbeil said cdu must explain how right wing extremists were elected speaker
## Merz on Israel solidarity
Merz reaffirmed Germany's support for Israel on the 3rd anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks.

> merz reaffirmed germany's support for israel on the 3rd anniversary of the october 7 terror attacks
## Hanning in pretrial detention
Former BND spy chief August Hanning was ordered to remain in pretrial detention.

> former bnd spy chief august hanning was ordered to remain in pretrial detention
## Hanning faces treason charges
Hanning is accused of passing secret government documents to clients during private consulting work.

> hanning is accused of passing secret government documents to clients during private consulting work
## Saxony-Anhalt lawmakers call for end to Ukraine aid
Saxony-Anhalt AfD and BSW lawmakers called for the federal government to drop sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

> saxony-anhalt afd and bsw lawmakers called for the federal government to drop sanctions on russia over its invasion of ukraine
## Merz survey results
67% of Germans surveyed say Merz's chancellorship has failed, with 48% completely agreeing.

> 67 percent of germans surveyed say merz's chancellorship has failed with 48 percent completely agreeing
## Merz on extremism in CDU
Merz said anyone who casts a vote for the AfD is playing the extremists' game and undermining credibility.

> merz said anyone who casts a vote for the afd is playing the extremists game and undermining credibility
## SPD protests AfD election
SPD staged a march through Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to protest the election of Rausch as speaker.

> spd staged a march through berlin's brandenburg gate to protest the election of rausch as speaker
## Hanning's BND role
Hanning ran the BND, Germany's foreign intelligence service, from 1998 until 2005.

> hanning ran the bnd germany's foreign intelligence service from 1998 until 2005
## Merz on October 7
Merz said Germany stands firmly by Israel's side and will combat rising antisemitism.

> merz said germany stands firmly by israel's side and will combat rising antisemitism
## Rausch election votes
Rausch received 48 votes but only 44 would have been needed if only AfD and BSW voted.

> rausch received 48 votes but only 44 would have been needed if only afd and bsw voted
## Merz on CDU extremism
Merz said this is incompatible with the values of his party, the CDU.

> merz said this is incompatible with the values of his party the cd
## Key takeaway

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the election of an AfD politician as Saxony-Anhalt's state parliamentary speaker a 'historic break' from democracy.