# Merz faces far-right threat in eastern stronghold

> Friedrich Merz's grip on his party weakens as CDU members risk helping the AfD install Germany's first far-right state premier since World War II.
- Title: Merz faces far-right threat in eastern stronghold · POLITICO
- Summary: Friedrich Merz's grip on his party weakens as CDU members risk helping the AfD install Germany's first far-right state premier since World War II. Friedrich…
- Keywords: friedrich merz, cdu, alternative for germany, saxony-anhalt, germany, far-right, state premier, coalition government, politics, world, Merz, faces
- Source: POLITICO — https://politico.eu/article/germany-friedrich-merz-cdu-eastern-nightmare-is-far-from-over
- Published: 2026-10-22T02:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: friedrich merz, cdu, alternative for germany, saxony-anhalt, germany, far-right, state premier, coalition government, politics, world
## Merz's party faces a test
Friedrich Merz's CDU suffered historic defeats to the far-right Alternative for Germany in eastern Germany. Now his biggest challenge as chancellor may still lie ahead.
## AfD targets Saxony-Anhalt
The Alternative for Germany is pushing to install the country's first far-right state premier since World War II in Saxony-Anhalt when lawmakers vote in December.
## CDU members may defect
Merz's fellow Christian Democrats in Berlin fear regional members of their own party will help the AfD win, after accusations that Saxony-Anhalt conservatives voted for the AfD's candidate in a secret ballot.
## National CDU condemns the vote
Thomas Röwekamp, a CDU lawmaker chairing the Bundestag's defense committee, said the behavior was completely unacceptable and warned the AfD wants to divide the party.

> The behavior of the CDU parliamentary group in Saxony-Anhalt with regard to past and upcoming elections is completely unacceptable.
## Saxony-Anhalt CDU's plan
Sven Schulze, the state CDU leader, announced his party's lawmakers will leave the chamber during the first two rounds of secret voting in December to prevent any member voting for the AfD.
## Local CDU defends participation
CDU state lawmaker Chris Schulenburg said the party draws a clear line from the AfD but cannot exclude them since the party is not banned and its members were democratically elected.

> We have always drawn a clear line between ourselves and the AfD.
## AfD celebrates CDU's crisis
AfD national co-leader Tino Chrupalla called the CDU's plan to leave the chamber capitulation and said they are afraid of elections, rejoicing in the party's disarray.

> This is nothing less than the CDU's capitulation.
## Merz's approval ratings fall
For Merz, whose approval ratings are at historic lows, the CDU's conduct in Saxony-Anhalt complicates efforts to move past election losses and focus on backing Ukraine and reviving the economy.
## Key takeaway

Friedrich Merz's coalition government faces a political crisis as CDU lawmakers in Saxony-Anhalt may help the far-right AfD elect a state premier in December.