# Merz's grip on power weakens as far-right surges > Germany's chancellor cancels UN trip as the AfD's election victory threatens his leadership and exposes deep party divisions. - Title: Merz's grip on power weakens as far-right surges · CBS News - Summary: Germany's chancellor cancels UN trip as the AfD's election victory threatens his leadership and exposes deep party divisions. Friedrich Merz's position as… - Keywords: friedrich merz, cdu, afd, germany, saxony-anhalt, election, immigration, leadership crisis, news, Merz's, grip, power - Source: CBS News — https://cbsnews.com/news/germany-friedrich-merz-afd-far-right-pressure-election-berlin - Author: Anna Noryskiewicz - Published: 2026-09-18T14:43:25+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: friedrich merz, cdu, afd, germany, saxony-anhalt, election, immigration, leadership crisis, news ## Merz cancels UN trip amid crisis German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has canceled a planned trip to New York next week to represent his country at the United Nations General Assembly due to political pressure at home. ## Far-right AfD wins landslide in Saxony-Anhalt The far-right Alternative for Germany party achieved a landslide state election victory in Saxony-Anhalt last week, fueled by frustration among Germans about immigration's impact. ## AfD victory comes at CDU's expense The AfD's success has accelerated a monthslong trend that damages Merz's Christian Democratic Union party. His poll ratings have fallen sharply as voters lose faith in his economic promises. ## Economic recovery has not materialized Merz became chancellor early last year promising to revive Germany's flagging economy. But the situation for people has not noticeably improved. In August, more than three million people were unemployed, an increase of thirty-six thousand from the previous year. > the situation for people has not noticeably improved ## Immigration drives AfD support A resounding ninety-one percent of AfD supporters in Saxony-Anhalt voiced fear of a potential new influx of foreigners, according to an analysis by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Eighty-five percent said they were concerned about immigration causing too much change within German society. ## Merz tightens migration policies The federal government adopted a new ten-point plan to combat Islamist terrorism. It provides for stricter surveillance of certain individuals deemed to pose a threat, tougher penalties for spreading terrorist propaganda and amendments to criminal law. ## Crisis of authority within the CDU Veteran journalist Kerstin Münstermann told CBS News, "We are witnessing a genuine crisis of authority and leadership within the CDU." The party faces internal debate over how to respond to the AfD's momentum. > We are witnessing a genuine crisis of authority and leadership within the CDU ## Firewall debate intensifies within CDU The CDU has always ruled out cooperation with the AfD, a political red line called a firewall. But as the AfD gains clout, some CDU politicians now question whether the party should accept majority votes in parliament that require AfD support on individual policy initiatives. ## High bar to remove a chancellor Germany's constitution makes it difficult to remove Merz from office. The Bundestag can oust him only through a constructive vote of no confidence, which requires a majority to reject him and agree on a single replacement. It has happened only once, in nineteen eighty-two. ## CDU could separate chancellor and party roles The CDU could move to separate the office of chancellor from the party leadership role, allowing Merz to step down as party leader without automatically resigning as chancellor. This would let the party express dissatisfaction without plunging Germany into governmental crisis. ## Two state elections test Merz's standing Merz plans to convene his party's leadership Sunday in Berlin. Two more state elections that day in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will show whether the CDU can recover. The debate over his leadership will probably remain after election night. > That debate is still there, and it will probably remain after election night ## Key takeaway Friedrich Merz's position as German chancellor is under threat after the far-right AfD won a landslide in Saxony-Anhalt, forcing him to cancel a UN trip and face questions about his leadership.