German Chancellor Merz appeals to far-right AfD voters ahead of pivotal regional elections

Jul 15, 2026

At his annual summer press conference on July 15, 2026, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended his coalition's reform record and expressed confidence that the far-right AfD will not win majorities in upcoming September state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Merz appealed directly to AfD voters to look beyond social media. He also warned against US election interference, criticized US tariff policies, and proposed a gradual EU associate membership path for Ukraine.

Merz coalition government reforms

▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted pension reforms that will allocate a portion of retirement funds toward investments for the first time in Germany.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admitted that launching a massive debt package after promising to end new debt has burdened his personal credibility.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended his coalition government's record on July 15, 2026, stating that the administration has found its stride and delivered on key reforms.

AfD eastern state elections

▪The Alternative for Germany party leads in polls ahead of September 2026 state elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed confidence on July 15, 2026, that the Alternative for Germany party will be prevented from securing parliamentary majorities in upcoming regional elections.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz appealed directly to Alternative for Germany voters to look beyond social media and judge his government's actual accomplishments.

US election interference concerns

▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on July 15, 2026, that he does not want United States institutions to interfere in German elections.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that financing political parties in Germany from abroad is illegal.

German economic competitiveness

▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that United States tariff policies have harmed the German economy.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for urgent European Union dialogue with China to address China's artificially undervalued currency.

Ukraine EU associate membership

▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz proposed granting Ukraine the prospect of European Union associate membership without voting rights as a realistic step.
▪German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that the European Union must take small, credible steps with prospective members to maintain its credibility.