# Merz Warns Extremism Entering German Parliaments

> German Chancellor Merz warns extremism is entering parliaments after AfD wins key state post.
- Title: Merz Warns Extremism Entering German Parliaments | Shortify
- Summary: German Chancellor Merz warns extremism is entering parliaments after AfD wins key state post. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned extremism is entering…
- Keywords: germany, afdf, tobias rausch, saxony-anhalt, bundestag, cdu, social democrats, firewall, military support for ukraine, russia sanctions, news, world
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/germanys-merz-warns-extremism-entering-parliaments-after-afd-wins-key-state-post
- Published: 2026-10-07T16:14:13+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: germany, afdf, tobias rausch, saxony-anhalt, bundestag, cdu, social democrats, firewall, military support for ukraine, russia sanctions, news, world
## Merz warns extremism entering parliaments
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that extremism was entering the country's legislatures after a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany won president of Saxony-Anhalt state parliament.

> Extremism is forcefully making its way into our parliaments
## AfD wins key state post with 48 votes
Tobias Rausch secured 48 votes, more than expected, suggesting he attracted support from his own party, far-left BSW, and at least four other lawmakers.
## Firewall custom under pressure
Merz's government faces pressure as the AfD's success in eastern state challenges the 'firewall' custom among mainstream parties that forbids them from entering coalition with AfD.
## BSW and AfD call for Russia sanctions lift
The far-left BSW and AfD used their new majority in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament to immediately introduce a motion calling for Germany to halt military and financial support for Ukraine and lift sanctions on Russia.
## Merz challenges CDU's role in AfD vote
Merz challenged the idea that his Christian Democrats voted for the AfD's candidate, warning any lawmaker who helped the AfD was 'playing the extremists' game and undermining credibility.

> playing the extremists' game and undermining credibility
## Political factions undermine democracy
Merz identified at least three factions in Saxony-Anhalt state parliament that are doing everything they can to undermine the cohesion of Germany's democracy.
## Key takeaway

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned extremism is entering parliaments after AfD's Tobias Rausch won Saxony-Anhalt state parliament presidency with 48 votes.