BERLIN — A senior figure in Germany's centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has pushed back against any immediate talk of replacing Chancellor Friedrich Merz, insisting the party must first confront its own credibility problem after a crushing defeat in Saxony-Anhalt.
Günter Krings, a CDU member of the Bundestag, told European Pulse that it would not be “responsible” to discuss “changing the Chancellor” just one day after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) swept to a historic victory in the eastern state. His comments come as pressure mounts on Merz, whose approval ratings have sunk to record lows in national polls.
The AfD took 43.8% of the vote in Sunday's election in Saxony-Anhalt, more than double its result five years ago. The CDU trailed far behind with 17.2%, losing roughly half of its previous support. The result has reignited internal party debates about strategy and leadership, but Krings argues that such discussions are premature and counterproductive.
Focus on credibility, not leadership
“We should not be talking about personnel changes the day after an election like this,” Krings said. “Our energy needs to go into rebuilding trust with voters who feel abandoned.” He acknowledged that the CDU's credibility is “low” and that the party must address that before anything else.
Krings also pointed to Brussels, saying that “a significant part of the anger of the voters comes from the EU's decisions.” He did not specify which policies he had in mind, but his remarks reflect a broader sentiment among some German conservatives that European-level rules and regulations are alienating citizens in regions like Saxony-Anhalt.
The AfD's victory in the state, which borders Poland and the Czech Republic, has been seen as a bellwether for eastern Germany, where frustration with mainstream parties and EU institutions runs deep. The result also complicates efforts by the CDU to position itself as the natural governing party ahead of federal elections.
Merz, who took over the party leadership in 2022, has struggled to revive the CDU's fortunes. His personal popularity has fallen sharply, and internal critics have questioned his ability to counter the AfD's appeal. However, Krings insisted that a leadership change now would only add to the instability.
“We need to show voters that we have a plan for their concerns, not that we are obsessed with our own positions,” he said. The CDU's defeat in Saxony-Anhalt is part of a wider pattern of losses in eastern Germany, where the party has been losing ground to both the AfD and the Left.
The European Union's role in the region's economic and social challenges is a recurring theme in political debates. Some analysts argue that EU climate policies and migration rules have fueled resentment, while others point to structural factors such as demographic decline and weaker industrial bases.
Krings' comments come as the CDU prepares for a series of state elections later this year. The party is hoping to avoid a repeat of the Saxony-Anhalt debacle, but the road ahead looks difficult. As one CDU strategist put it, “We are not just fighting the AfD; we are fighting our own failures.”
The AfD's success has also raised concerns in Brussels, where officials worry about the rise of eurosceptic parties across the bloc. The AfD's victory in Saxony-Anhalt is being watched closely by other EU member states, particularly those with their own far-right movements.
For now, the CDU appears to be in a holding pattern, with Krings urging patience and a focus on policy rather than personalities. Whether that approach will satisfy the party's restless base remains to be seen.
