Merz calls for unity in Germany
The German chancellor wants to keep his coalition together and rule out cooperation with the AfD.
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Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday called for unity within his conservative camp and the governing coalition. He warned against political extremists and accused Russia of trying to destabilise Germany every day.
Merz spoke at a gathering of the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of his CDU. According to news agency Reuters, he said Germany faces exceptionally serious challenges. Reuters said he linked those challenges to both domestic extremist movements and foreign powers.
The chancellor repeated that the CDU and CSU do not want to work with the far-right Alternative für Deutschland. He said politicians who vote with the AfD have no place within the conservative Union. In doing so, he responded to calls from some conservatives to ease the party’s existing political isolation.
According to Reuters, the AfD is leading national opinion polls and recently achieved strong results in regional elections in eastern Germany. Reuters said the results had increased pressure on Merz and that tensions also exist within his coalition with the centre-left SPD over its direction and the promised reforms.
Merz said rapid reforms to the pension system, taxation and social security are needed to strengthen the economy and restore trust in public institutions. The coalition needs support for this in the Bundestag, where its majority is limited.
The Russian government rejects accusations that it is trying to destabilise Germany every day through hybrid actions. Reuters writes that relations between Berlin and Moscow have deteriorated sharply since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Merz’s remarks can therefore be read both as a domestic call for unity and as a signal about Germany’s security policy.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Merz called for unity within the coalition and the CDU/CSU.
- He rejected cooperation with the AfD.
- He accused Russia of daily attempts to destabilise Germany; Russia rejects such accusations.
- The government wants reforms in pensions, taxation and social security.
Left
Arguments The emphasis should be on protecting democratic institutions, social security and a firm rejection of cooperation with the AfD. Security policy must not be used to suppress social problems or criticism of the government.
Values Anti-fascism, social protection, international cooperation and the rule of law in institutions.
Consequences A firm boundary around the AfD can protect democratic norms, but without social reforms dissatisfaction with the established parties may continue to grow.
Centre
Arguments Germany needs governmental stability and workable reforms. The coalition must take security threats seriously, but accusations of foreign interference should be carefully substantiated.
Values Continuity, governability, the rule of law and evidence-based policy.
Consequences A compromise-based approach could keep the coalition together, but would require concessions from the CDU/CSU and SPD and could appear unprincipled to voters.
Right
Arguments The government must restore control over security, borders and the economy and reform more quickly. The AfD should be challenged on substance, but conservative parties must also win back its voters.
Values National security, order, economic responsibility and political clarity.
Consequences A tougher course could win back AfD voters, but cooperation or normalisation could blur the political boundary between established parties and the far right.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The core facts are based on a Reuters report on the gathering and a second Reuters report on the coalition. Unconfirmed political consequences are presented as uncertain.
- confirmed Friedrich Merz called for unity within his political camp on 24 October. — Reuters describes his speech at a CSU gathering. source
- confirmed Merz again rejected cooperation between the CDU/CSU and AfD. — Reuters reports that Merz wants to exclude politicians who vote with the AfD from the Union. source
- confirmed Merz linked his call to reforms of pensions, taxation and social security. — This is stated in Reuters’ report on the gathering. source
Editor's note
Merz’s statements and his rejection of cooperation with the AfD have been confirmed. The precise political consequences for the coalition remain uncertain; the Russian accusations are positions expressed by Merz and are rejected by Moscow.Sources
- Merz calls for unity as he warns of threats facing Germany — Reuters via MarketScreener
- German coalition affirms reform agenda amid 'historic test' for democracy — Reuters via MarketScreener