German Chancellor Merz Issues Party Ultimatum

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly preparing to request an informal vote of confidence this weekend following a sharp 20% drop in conservative support during the Saxony-Anhalt elections. According to local media, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader will convene his party’s executive board immediately after the state election results in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern are announced. Facing mounting calls for his resignation after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) secured 43.8% of the recent vote, Merz will demand the leadership back his planned reforms despite objections from his coalition partners. Delivering a stark ultimatum to decide his political future, the Chancellor’s message to his party is clear: “Either support me or remove me.”