German leader under huge pressure as the far-right AfD gains steam

Berlin — German leader Friedrich Merz's position is under threat as the far-right surges in popularity and support for his own center-right party tanks. The situation is so serious that he canceled a planned trip to New York next week to represent his country at the United Nations General Assembly. Merz, a conservative, is facing tremendous pressure in the wake of the far-right AfD's landslide state election victory in Saxony-Anhalt last week.Their success, fueled by frustration among many Germans about the impact of immigration, came at the expense of Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. It has accelerated a monthslong trend that spells trouble for the center-right leader of Europe's biggest economy.Merz's poll ratings have fallen sharply. His government is grappling with a weak economy, and many voters who had hoped the former corporate executive would fix that have become disillusioned with delays in implementing financial and tax reforms. German Chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz speaks during a CDU election campaign rally before state elections in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 17, 2026. Fabrizio Bensch/REUTERS The pressure has raised a onc...