Merz Warns AfD Victory in German State Would Cause 'Considerable' Damage

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that Saxony-Anhalt faces “considerable” economic damage if the far-right Alternative for Germany takes control of the eastern state in elections on Sept. 6.

Merz said an AfD-led government could undermine the state’s ability to attract international investment, with polls pointing to a potentially historic victory for the party.

“If things turn out the way the polls suggest, this federal state will face significant problems,” Merz told public broadcaster ARD.

“I cannot imagine international investors showing up for a groundbreaking ceremony with an AfD state premier to establish new plants or set up new businesses in Saxony-Anhalt.”

AfD Leads by Wide Margin

The AfD is polling above 40% ahead of the state legislature election, while Merz’s Christian Democratic Union is at about 20%.

The CDU has governed Saxony-Anhalt for more than two decades.

An AfD victory could produce Germany’s first state government led by the far right since the end of World War II in 1945.

“The state will suffer considerable damage if the scenario we currently fear comes to pass,” Merz said on Sunday.

Saxony-Anhalt is among Germany’s poorest states, adding weight to concerns over the possible economic consequences of a shift in government.

Merz Enters State Campaign

Merz is due to make his first campaign appearance in Saxony-Anhalt on Monday alongside CDU state premier Sven Schulze.

Schulze has sought to distance his campaign from the chancellor, whose approval ratings are the lowest recorded for a postwar German leader.

The state premier has instead campaigned with a 90-year-old comedian who criticized Merz and accused the federal government in Berlin of war-mongering.

Merz is also scheduled to meet local business leaders during his visit.

Pressure Extends Beyond Saxony-Anhalt

The vote will be followed by state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin.

The CDU is also struggling against the AfD in those contests, where polling indicates the far-right party could roughly double its support.

Germany’s mainstream parties have ruled out governing alliances with the AfD. Saxony-Anhalt’s security authorities have classified the party as right-wing radical.

Asked by ARD whether he had become a “burden for his party,” Merz declined to give a direct answer.

He instead argued that reforms introduced by his federal government were beginning to produce positive results and said the German economy had returned to growth.