Merz Scraps UN Trip as CDU Pressure Mounts Ahead of State Votes
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cancelled a planned trip to the UN General Assembly as his party faces falling support and key state elections.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will not travel to New York next week for the UN General Assembly, a government source said, as he confronts growing pressure within his own conservative camp.
The decision comes after his Christian Democrats (CDU) turned in a weak result this month in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came close to winning an outright majority in a state election. Merz had been expected to join other world leaders at the annual UN gathering.
"Contrary to original plans, the chancellor will not travel to New York next week, as his presence is required in Berlin," the source said.
Party meeting called for Sunday
The CDU has scheduled a special meeting for Sunday, a party source said, aimed at coordinating its response to state elections the same day in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, setting a direction amid record-low support and showing unity behind Merz's leadership.
Some critics within the CDU have warned that another poor showing this weekend could sharpen the pressure on the chancellor. Nationally, the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, are polling between 18% and 20% — well below their result in last year's federal election and behind the AfD.
A weekend INSA poll found that most CDU supporters no longer see Merz as the right person for the job, while 78% of the wider public agreed. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the CDU is polling at 7%, and in Berlin it is tied for the lead with the Left party at 20%.
Merz vows to serve full term
Asked at an event with business leaders whether weak results in the two state votes could unseat him, Merz said he was determined to complete his four-year term and ruled out resorting to a vote of confidence to advance his agenda.
"I was elected for four years, and I would like us to use these four years to steer the country out of this difficult period," he said, adding that the coalition with the centre-left SPD would pursue further reforms.
Merz said he wanted the European Union to build more trade alliances — including with the MERCOSUR bloc, Mexico and Australia — as a counterweight to US and Chinese economic dominance. He also promised relief for motorists facing higher fuel costs, without giving details.
CSU leader Markus Soeder, speaking at a separate event, said he backed Merz and expected CDU leaders to do the same. Merz has rejected attempts to tie his political future to individual state results, arguing Germany needs stability for its reform agenda and to handle European challenges including hybrid warfare and support for Ukraine. He has said there are no obvious alternative leaders or policies.