German Chancellor Merz faces internal dissent and unusual campaign tactics

In an unusual campaign tactic ahead of state elections, German conservative politicians are leveraging a comedian's scathing critique of Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Sven Schulze, a CDU politician in Saxony-Anhalt, has invited comedian Dieter Hallervorden to perform a piece mocking Merz, including a digitally altered image of the chancellor being pelted with tomatoes and eggs.

Hallervorden's performance, set to the tune of a song, humorously suggests Merz might be an AI, questioning his reform promises. This strategy, part of Schulze's "Art Needs Freedom" event series, comes as the CDU faces a significant electoral challenge in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leads in polls by nearly 20 percentage points. The election is scheduled for early September.

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Merz can't do it.

The CDU is reportedly in turmoil, with anonymous party insiders expressing discontent with Merz's leadership to German media. "Merz can't do it," one functionary told the Tagesspiegel, with another predicting his resignation or ousting by September 21st, the day after results from Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are announced. The CDU anticipates losses in all three states.

Furthermore, CDU state premiers like Mario Voigt of Thuringia and Michael Kretschmer of Saxony are openly challenging Merz's signature pension reform plan, threatening to block it. This internal dissent undermines Merz's self-portrayal as a "reform chancellor." Tensions have also arisen with other party leaders, such as Gordon Schnieder of Rhineland-Palatinate, over cabinet reshuffles following the departure of key figure Jens Spahn.

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He will have to quit or be forced to resign by September 21st at the latest.