Merz Urges Eastern Voters to Block AfD as Chancellor Faces 13%-20% Approval
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Jul 15
Merz Urges Eastern Voters to Block AfD as Chancellor Faces 13%-20% Approval
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Jul 15
Summary
Friedrich Merz directly appealed to voters in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to scrutinize the AfD and not rely only on social media before September state elections.
The warning came as the far-right party leads polls in two eastern states, though Merz said he was confident it could still be stopped from winning a majority of seats.
Merz also pushed back against reported US plans for a $5 million grant program for MAGA-aligned groups in Europe, saying foreign financing of German parties is illegal and US institutions should not interfere.
At the same press conference, he defended his coalition's reform agenda on pensions, healthcare and taxes, while conceding Germany's economy remains weak and hurt by US tariff policy.
The appeal underscored pressure on Merz ahead of the elections as his coalition claims progress but public satisfaction with the government stands at just 13% to 20%.