Merz admits CDU 'deeply shocked' by AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), is "deeply shocked" by the victory of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in the Saxony-Anhalt state election. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Monday, Merz described the result as a turning point not just for the state but for the entire country.

Merz noted that nearly 60 percent of voters in the federal state, amid high turnout, backed parties that he said fundamentally challenge Germany's democratic institutions. He called it the most serious election defeat the CDU has suffered in decades, adding that the outcome would have consequences both domestically and internationally.

Despite the setback, the Chancellor reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing fundamental reforms in Germany. He acknowledged that such reforms must be communicated not only rationally but also emotionally, saying the future of the country and opportunities for younger generations depend on them.

On foreign policy, Merz struck a defiant tone, vowing not to budge on defending freedom against Russia. He warned that halting support for Ukraine would worsen the situation and stressed that the threat to internal security is concrete. He added that Russia's goal is to destabilise the value system of the West, which he said is not up for negotiation.