Media: German ruling party discusses Merz's possible resignation

Germany's ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) is discussing the possible resignation of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with a leadership change potentially taking place after September's regional elections, Der Spiegel reports, citing party sources.

The report said Merz's standing within the CDU has weakened significantly, prompting internal discussions about his future.

"Merz is at a dead end. He can no longer get through to the party," one CDU member told Der Spiegel.

Regional elections are scheduled for September in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

According to the report, recent opinion polls suggest the CDU could perform poorly in all three contests.

Following the elections, the premiers of the three federal states could reportedly urge Merz to step down as chancellor.

Sources cited by Der Spiegel identified Hendrik Wüst, the premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, as a potential successor both as CDU leader and German chancellor.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov