Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz said on Thursday that his party will intensify its fight against “extremism” after recent local elections saw gains for both the far‑right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and far‑left parties.
The municipal polls, held across several German states, delivered modest but notable advances for the AfD and for left‑wing groups, narrowing the gap with mainstream parties in a number of councils. Analysts noted that the results reflected a shift in voter sentiment at the sub‑national level.
Merz, whose personal approval rating has been slipping in recent weeks, responded by pledging a tougher stance on political extremism of any stripe. He warned that the rise of radical parties threatens Germany’s democratic stability and called for unified action from the centre‑right and centre‑left to safeguard constitutional values.
The CDU, which has led Germany’s federal government for most of the post‑war era, now faces pressure to regain voter confidence ahead of the next national election. The party’s recent dip in popularity has been linked to concerns over economic policy, immigration and the perceived resurgence of extremist voices.
Political observers say Merz’s emphasis on combating extremism could shape the CDU’s campaign narrative, as the party seeks to distance itself from both the nationalist rhetoric of the AfD and the radical proposals of far‑left factions. The coming months will test whether this strategy can halt the erosion of support and restore the CDU’s standing among German voters.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
