Berlin: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz dismissed speculation on Tuesday regarding the possibility of an early departure from his position following his party's significant defeat in Saxony-Anhalt and declining poll numbers. "I have been elected for four years, and I want us to use these four years to lead the country out of this difficult phase," Merz stated during a business congress in Berlin.
According to Anadolu Agency, Merz emphasized his commitment to the success of the conservative CDU/CSU alliance's coalition with the Social Democrats and pledged to continue his efforts in ensuring the coalition's effectiveness. "We want to be successful with this coalition, and I will do everything to continue to make that possible," he asserted. Merz also defended the government's performance, highlighting that the coalition had initiated more reforms in just 16 months than had been accomplished in many prior years.
The chancellor's remarks were made amid growing debate about his future, following a significant conservative loss in Saxony-Anhalt and a recent nationwide poll showing the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) leading his Christian Democrats. A GMS survey published on Monday indicated that the AfD had reached a record 30% nationwide, standing 10 points ahead of Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, which had dropped to 20%, marking the lowest GMS polling for the conservatives.
The Social Democrats (SPD) registered at 11%, suggesting that the chancellor's coalition would fail to secure a parliamentary majority if a national election were to be conducted this week. These figures represent a substantial shift from the February 23, 2025, federal election, where the CDU/CSU garnered 28.5% and the AfD 20.8%.
The poll results were released just days before regional elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Berlin, scheduled for Sunday. These elections are being closely monitored as an additional test for Merz following the AfD's victory with 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, where the CDU plummeted to a historic low of 17.2%.
Speculation has been mounting for weeks regarding a potential change in chancellor, with North Rhine-Westphalia Premier Hendrik Wuest identified as a possible successor within the CDU. While a leadership conflict within the Christian Democrats post-state elections would not automatically dissolve the Bundestag or necessitate a snap national vote, party pressure could lead to Merz's replacement, allowing parliament to elect a new chancellor without a national election.