German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly committed to staying in office following a major electoral setback in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The election saw the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party secure a landslide victory, a result that has placed significant pressure on the Chancellor’s leadership. Merz, appearing visibly shaken during a press conference in Berlin on Monday, acknowledged that the outcome has deeply impacted his party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

The election results represent a major challenge for the CDU, which has struggled to contain the rise of the AfD. Merz had previously set a political goal of halving the AfD’s national support, a target that now appears increasingly difficult to reach given the party's recent momentum. The AfD’s platform, which emphasizes anti-immigrant policies and a more conciliatory stance toward the Kremlin, has resonated with a growing segment of the electorate in the region.

While the Chancellor has vowed to continue his work, the political atmosphere in Berlin remains tense. The CDU is currently grappling with the reality that the AfD is now within striking distance of regional power. Merz’s administration is now facing questions regarding its future strategy and its ability to regain the trust of voters who have shifted their support toward the far-right. The Chancellor’s pledge to remain in office is seen as an attempt to stabilize his government, though the internal pressure within the CDU to address the party's declining popularity is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.