Germany: Merz, shocked by the far-right’s victory, presses ahead with reforms
The German Chancellor: ‘Giving up is not an option for me’
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said today that he was “deeply shaken” by the far-right AfD’s victory in yesterday’s regional elections.
“I am determined to press ahead with the reforms without interruption, but I know that we need to explain them more clearly,” he said at a meeting of senior figures from his conservative party, the CDU, acknowledging his own share of responsibility for the defeat and noting how the electoral rise of the AfD is changing the political landscape “across Germany”.
“I have a lot on my mind, but not about the 2029 elections. Giving up is not an option for me.” Friedrich Merz said this in response to a question about when and whether he intends to resign in light of the results in Magdeburg and the collapse in his personal approval ratings. “We must all improve together,” he added, emphasising the importance of “dedication, empathy and emotion” for the future.
