CDU state leaders back Merz as pressure mounts on his leadership

The useful part

Merz faces widespread discontent with his government and has so far failed to stave off a strong advance by the far right in the polls. In this situation, what matters most is the unity, the drive and a clear direction of the German Christian Democrats," the eight state leaders said in a statement obtained by dpa. traditionally one of Germany's two main political forces alongside the Social Democrats (SPD).

How it works

• was resoundingly beaten by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month.
• Two more state elections scheduled for this Sunday could see the CDU handed its worst ever post-war result at state or federal level.
• His squabbling coalition government, which also comprises the SPD, has struggled to turn the economy around and implement much-needed welfare system reforms, and is yet to find an effective measure to...
• As state premiers, we want to, and will, play our part in this, together with the chancellor," they said.
• Merz not mentioned by name Merz "welcomes the support of the state premiers," sources close to the chancellor told dpa.

What to take from it

"People can be confident that we will tackle their problems.

Details worth keeping

"Political Germany needs stability now more than ever. 'Giving up not an option' While regional elections are not entirely determined by national politics, Merz's plummeting approval ratings are likely to play a major role in the votes in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the city state of Berlin. So far, Merz has weathered all calls for him to step down, stressing that "giving up is not an option." The backing by eight of the country's 16 state leaders, who wield significant powers in the upper chamber, was a welcome sign of unity.