Merz warns of ‘considerable damage’ if AfD wins in Saxony-Anhalt

Friedrich Merz has warned that international investors may not want to open factories alongside an AfD state premier, as the far-right party leads in polling before Saxony-Anhalt’s regional election.

The German chancellor said his Christian Democratic Union would use the final week of the campaign to do everything possible to prevent an AfD government. He described the state’s governability as being at risk and acknowledged that the CDU faced difficult conditions there.

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I cannot imagine that international investors would want to come and open a new factory alongside an AfD state premier.

A poll published Friday put the AfD at 40%, compared with 23% for the CDU. The Alternative for Germany, which opposes immigration and is described as pro-Russian and pro-Trump, could form its first regional government if the election produces the necessary majority.

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considerable damage

The AfD’s control of the state government would give it broad responsibilities in areas such as health, education, immigration and security. Merz said the decision ultimately belonged to voters, while warning of “considerable damage” for the eastern German state.

Saxony-Anhalt is currently governed by the CDU in coalition with the center-left Social Democrats and the liberal FDP. If the AfD falls short of an outright majority, the CDU could seek an alliance with parties to its left, including the SPD and Greens. Such an arrangement would likely require support from the left-wing Die Linke, despite the CDU’s commitment not to cooperate with it.

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do everything possible to prevent