Friedrich Merz Cancels UN Trip Amid CDU Leadership Crisis

Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled his planned trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to address a leadership crisis within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The turmoil follows a crushing defeat in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won 43.8% of the vote, nearly securing a majority. This result has pushed the AfD to a historic 30% in national polls, while the CDU has slumped to record lows between 18% and 20%.

Merz has faced plummeting approval ratings, with one survey indicating 78% of the public no longer view him as the right person for the job. Critics, including Education Minister Karin Prien, have cited a lack of empathy and an abrasive communication style as drivers of the decline. Despite this, Merz has declared that giving up is not an option, vowing to serve his full four-year term to implement economic reforms and maintain military support for Ukraine.

While some local party members have called for his resignation, eight CDU state governors and Bavarian Premier Markus Söder issued a joint statement on Wednesday backing Merz to ensure stability. Söder, however, argued that the firewall strategy of isolating the AfD has failed. Merz has scheduled a crisis meeting with party leadership this Sunday, coinciding with critical regional elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In Berlin, the CDU risks losing the mayor's office, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the party may fail to win any seats if it falls below 5% of the vote.