Politico: Allies eye Merz exit ahead of expected state election defeats

Senior figures within German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) are privately weighing options to replace him as head of government, anticipating potential losses in upcoming eastern regional elections, Politico reported on Friday, September 4.

Should the conservative party experience a major defeat, internal critics are expected to launch a coordinated effort demanding the chancellor's departure.

“Given the dissatisfaction, the poll numbers and the fact that there are additional elections coming up next year … the pressure for fundamental change will naturally increase,” said Julian Schache, a CDU politician from Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt’s capital. “I could certainly imagine that some will push for Friedrich Merz to step down. But whether that’s the solution remains to be seen.

The political strain comes ahead of state parliamentary elections in Saxony-Anhalt scheduled for September 6. Projections indicate the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is poised to secure a victory, which could allow the party to lead a regional administration for the first time. Additional state polls are set for Sept. 20 in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, where conservative support has eroded noticeably since the 2021 elections.

The chancellor's declining popularity has prompted regional candidates to distance themselves from his leadership. Local campaign organisers have avoided featuring Merz in public events, following a rally earlier this week where the chancellor faced heckling and insults from attendees.

By Tamilla Hasanova