BERLIN — A leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party taunted Chancellor Friedrich Merz in parliament on Wednesday following a stunning regional election victory. Merz responded by asserting that the far-right party will never secure a majority in the country, criticizing its stance on Ukraine and migration policies.
The pressure on Merz intensified after the AfD achieved its most significant electoral success to date in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday. Meanwhile, the chancellor’s center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) saw its support nearly halved in the election. This outcome highlighted the AfD’s ability to capitalize on public dissatisfaction, extending far beyond its core platform of restricting immigration, as the national government struggles to address a sluggish economy.
With two more state elections scheduled for September 20 in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania—where the AfD has a strong presence but Merz’s CDU has historically been weak—the political landscape remains highly contested.
During the annual budget debate in parliament, Alice Weidel, the AfD’s national co-leader, directly confronted Merz, stating, “In Saxony-Anhalt, people didn’t just punish you; they pulverized your party.” She added, “You haven’t understood the message that voters in Saxony-Anhalt sent you on Sunday. But that isn’t relevant because your time has run out anyway. Citizens want a change of policy, and they will get it.”
Weidel predicted that future elections will yield “a clear mandate to govern” for her party.
In a combative reply, Merz acknowledged the AfD’s state election result as “remarkable” but pointed out that the party had campaigned on governing only with an absolute majority, a target they failed to achieve. “Voters gave us, me as well, a clear message. But you don’t have the absolute majority, and you won’t achieve it in Germany. You won’t get majorities anywhere in Germany with these policies,” Merz declared. “You are, and remain, Ms. Weidel, a destructive force.”
Merz specifically highlighted Weidel’s comments regarding Ukraine. The AfD opposes military aid to Kyiv and advocates for lifting sanctions against Russia. While the United States is attempting to broker an end to the conflict, Weidel accused Merz of escalating war propaganda and confrontation with Russia to distract from his government’s record. She remarked, “While the U.S. is making another attempt to end the murderous Ukraine war, you are stepping up the war propaganda and the confrontation with Russia, and burning the last bridges to distract from your own disastrous political record.”
The chancellor vowed that Germany will continue its support for Ukraine, telling AfD lawmakers that their stance represents a “downright grotesque inversion of perpetrator and victim.” He emphasized that the party continues to stand by Russia in the defense of freedom, noting Weidel’s silence on a recent attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport, which the government attributed to Russia.
Merz also criticized the AfD’s use of the term “remigration” while advocating for increased deportations. “The word ‘remigration’ is nothing but a synonym for ethnic cleansing according to origin and skin color,” Merz told lawmakers, arguing that such policies would cripple essential sectors. He noted that while deporting individuals who do not have a right to residence is a coalition consensus, it must differentiate between those who are welcome and those who are not.
The AfD’s triumph in Saxony-Anhalt has been celebrated by far-right parties across Europe and has drawn attention from U.S. President Donald Trump. On Truth Social, Trump posted, “Wow! The Populist Party in Germany just had a really big night.” He continued, “They finally got tired of the absolutely horrible Immigration rules and regulations which have hurt Germany so badly. THEY ARE ON THE RISE, and not going to take it anymore!”
