AfD seeks first far-right state premier in Saxony-Anhalt as Merz's CDU fears defections
The December vote in the eastern German state is a major test for Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his hold over his own party, Politico reports.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is pushing to install the country's first far-right state premier since World War II, in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, when state lawmakers vote on the post in December, according to Politico.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU) in Berlin fear that some of their own regional lawmakers could help the AfD win, Politico reported. That concern follows accusations that a group of Saxony-Anhalt conservatives voted for the AfD's candidate for state speaker in a secret ballot earlier this month.
Under pressure from the national party, Saxony-Anhalt CDU leader Sven Schulze announced a plan last week: his lawmakers would leave the chamber during the first two rounds of secret voting in December. That way none of them could vote for the far-right candidate or be suspected of doing so.
The plan has drawn criticism inside the CDU. "It's about taking a stand and assuming responsibility, rather than shirking a decision," said Thomas Röwekamp, a CDU lawmaker who chairs the Bundestag's defense committee. Local CDU lawmakers say the approach is tactically necessary.
AfD leaders have openly said they are seeking defections from conservative ranks. AfD national co-leader Tino Chrupalla called the walkout plan "nothing less than the CDU's capitulation."
The stakes for Merz are high. According to Politico, his approval ratings are at historic lows after last month's election losses in eastern Germany. The outlet reported that CDU lawmakers covertly helping the AfD could trigger the greatest political crisis of his chancellorship so far. Merz has ruled out any such cooperation.
“The CDU will never elect extremists to public office or government positions anywhere in Germany.”Friedrich Merz, German chancellor
The episode has also raised tensions with the Social Democrats (SPD). After local conservatives appeared to back the AfD's speaker candidate, SPD lawmakers marched in protest in Berlin. SPD Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called it the breaking of a taboo that "we haven't seen in this form for more than 90 years."
Much remains uncertain. Politico describes the outcome of the December vote as highly unpredictable. According to the outlet, it is unclear what the CDU would do in a possible third round, when the AfD would only need a majority of votes cast. It is also not known whether any CDU lawmakers would break ranks.
The AfD's candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, could win with support from Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht, Politico reported. The outlet describes it as a small, populist-left party that has expressed openness to working with the AfD.
