frozen snapshot — 2026-09-08 · see today →
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Friedrich Merz

What's on Friedrich Merz's mind?

read fresh this morning at 6
36%17%13%10%24%
the landslide in Saxony-Anhalt 36% the firewall around the AfD 17% · newtalk of replacing him 13% · newdoubling down on the reforms 10% · neweverything else 24%
#1
AfD wins Saxony-Anhalt outright, and Merz calls it a shock

The far right took around 44% in a state his CDU used to own — its best result in any German state since the war, though still short of a majority.

Far-right AfD wins key German state election but falls just short of majority

The Guardian · 2026-09-06
our translation

he calls it shocking because the alternative word is predictable, and predictable would make it his fault rather than history's

worst CDU state defeat in decadesvery sure · 5 sources
#2
No coalition, no talks: Merz slams a door the AfD is already knocking on
new — AfD three seats from state powervery sure · 4 sources
#3
'Giving up is not an option,' says the man everyone is asking about giving up
new — Weidel predicts exit before Christmaspretty sure · 4 sources
#4
Beaten at the ballot box, Merz prescribes more of the same medicine
new — coalition ally seeks changes after losspretty sure · 3 sources
tuesday, september 8
Repeat, on camera, that the CDU will never govern with the AfD(safe bet)
Work out which caucus members the AfD means by 'secret support'(reported)
Tell a coalition ally the reform package is not being softened(reported)
Decline, politely, to discuss whether he lasts until Christmas(safe bet)

rebuilt from the public schedule, pool reports & old habits — the rest is educated guessing

The source

Merz: CDU will not work with AfD to form state government

news.google.com · 2026-09-08

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