Merz warns AfD victory would damage Saxony-Anhalt economy ahead of historic state election
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has issued a stark warning that Saxony-Anhalt's economy would suffer serious damage if the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) wins next week's state election and forms the region's government.
Speaking in an interview with ARD broadcaster on Sunday, Merz, who became chancellor in May 2025 following the CDU's victory in February's federal election, said international investors would be reluctant to establish operations in a state led by the AfD. "I can't imagine that international investors will want to come to break ground at a new factory alongside an AfD state premier," he stated, adding that voters must ultimately make the decision.
The 6 September election has taken on historic significance. If the AfD secures victory, it would mark the first time a far-right party has governed a German state since World War II. Opinion polls show the AfD commanding a substantial lead with 40 percent support, compared to 23 percent for Merz's CDU, according to polling published Friday.
The stakes extend beyond Saxony-Anhalt's borders. An AfD absolute majority would give the party representation in the Bundesrat, Germany's legislative body representing the states, which has the power to veto or object to federal laws. The Saxony-Anhalt branch of the AfD was officially classified as a confirmed far-right extremist organization by the state's Office for the Protection of the Constitution in late 2023.
Current Minister-President Sven Schulze of the CDU, who has led the state's CDU-SPD-FDP coalition government since January 2026, faces the prospect of being replaced by an AfD premier. Merz acknowledged his party confronts "difficult conditions" in the state but pledged the CDU would use the final week of campaigning to "do everything to prevent" an AfD government, warning that the "governability" of the region was at risk.
Record-breaking summer heat
Germany experienced one of its warmest summers on record, according to preliminary data from the German Weather Service (DWD). The late June heat wave proved particularly extreme, with temperatures reaching 41.7 degrees Celsius at Neißemünde-Coschen in Brandenburg on 28 June, setting a new all-time national temperature record.
"The extremes were particularly striking and extraordinary: The heat wave at the end of June reached dimensions in extent and consequences that have not been observed in Germany before," the DWD stated.
Many cities recorded unprecedented numbers of tropical nights, when temperatures remained elevated throughout the night. A DWD attribution study determined that without human-caused climate change, a heat wave of this magnitude would have been statistically impossible.
The summer also brought severe drought conditions, particularly affecting western and southwestern regions of the country.
Germans among missing in Nepal disaster
Eight German citizens are among thousands missing following devastating flash floods and landslides that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region. The disaster, which occurred on 26 August and was triggered by a suspected glacier collapse on Langtang Lirung in the Himalayas, caused a magnitude 5.2 tremor detected worldwide.
Official authorities report at least 919 people confirmed dead, with 4,793 listed as missing as of Monday. The casualties include 903 deaths and 4,247 missing in Nepal, plus 16 dead and 546 missing in Tibet's Gyirong County. The missing also include 275 Indian nationals, 33 from the United Kingdom, 85 from the United States, 42 from Australia and 25 from Canada, according to the Nepal Tourism Board.
The German government is providing financial assistance alongside the European Union's €2 million in emergency humanitarian aid. German NGOs including Welthungerhilfe, Diakonie and Humedica are delivering emergency aid in the disaster zone. One German family of four has already been rescued.
New alcohol restrictions at train stations
Deutsche Bahn is implementing a comprehensive alcohol ban across all 5,400 German train stations, rolling out in phases through 15 October. Beginning Tuesday, the ban takes effect at several major stations including Berlin's central station, Berlin Gesundbrunnen, and the central stations in Kiel and Braunschweig.
Arrest made in fatal railway stabbing
Bavarian police arrested a 27-year-old German man early Sunday morning at Rosenheim railway station in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 31-year-old British woman. The victim was transported to hospital but died from her injuries. Authorities have appealed to the public for information about the incident, particularly from anyone who witnessed an altercation at the station around the time of the attack.
Merz defends reform agenda
In Sunday's interview, Merz also defended his government's social and welfare reform efforts despite facing historically low approval ratings. Polling from late March showed 86 percent of Germans were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with his government, with only 13 percent expressing satisfaction. Recent trends indicate approximately 16 percent of voters are satisfied with Merz's performance, significantly worse than previous German chancellors.
"Someone who expects the country to make changes is of course not popular at the beginning," Merz said in response to the criticism.
