The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, cancelled the scheduled trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, facing internal criticism within the coalition for the result obtained in the elections of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
© Michele Tantussi/Getty Images
15/09/2026
by
Lusa
Nthat state, the extreme Right Alternative for Germany (AfD) had an overwhelming victory.
Government sources confirmed to the German news agency DPA that “their presence [of the Chancellor] is necessary in Berlin” a few days before the regional elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, in the context of internal frictions within the conservative alliance between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
As early as last year, Merz refused to participate in the UN General Assembly, also due to internal discussions within the German coalition.
In his place, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul intervened in the UN General Assembly. And the same is expected to happen this year.
After months of negotiations, the Merz coalition reached an agreement in July on a series of measures to reform the country's tax, pension and labour market systems.
However, the package still needs to be dealt with in Parliament, and the categorical victory of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt has caused voices to arise within the Social Democratic Party asking to reconsider reforms before the two regional elections.
In parallel, new polls show that Merz's approval rates fall to only 10%, three points less than the previous week, a trend that has generated rumors that the German Chancellor may be forced to resign, as his party is heading for a harsh defeat in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this Sunday.
According to recent surveys, the CDU may not reach the 5% threshold in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
The conservative party could also lose the city council of Berlin, where it is tied with the party Left and slightly ahead of the AfD.