Alice Weidel, co-chairwoman of the Alternative for Germany, AfD, has predicted that Chancellor Friedrich Merz will lose his position before the end of 2026.
The opposition leader made the prediction following her party’s victory in Sunday’s election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, where it defeated Merz’s Christian Democratic Union, CDU.
AfD’s lead candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, won 38 of the 41 direct constituencies, marking the first time since 1949 that a far-right party has won a German state election with more than 40 per cent of the vote.
Weidel predicted that the CDU’s support at the federal level would soon fall below 20 per cent, adding that “something is going to happen with the extremely unpopular Friedrich Merz.”
“I think the CDU will consider replacing the chancellor,” she said.
“I expect early federal elections, and I expect the current chancellor to be replaced before Christmas.”
Weidel said the AfD secured an unprecedented victory because Germans were fed up with policies she claimed ran counter to the country’s interests.
She reiterated her party’s plan to cut what it considers unnecessary spending, tighten the country’s borders and deport those required to leave, as well as foreign nationals convicted of crimes.
“We will pursue sensible policies because our country has been ruined in recent years. People can’t tolerate the disaster anymore. Germany is becoming impoverished,” she said.
Weidel also said the AfD would seek good relations with the United States and open a channel of communication with Russia in an effort to reach an understanding and achieve a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine.
The parliamentarian criticised the German government’s approach to the conflict, arguing that Berlin could have played a diplomatic role similar to Washington’s ongoing efforts between Moscow and Kyiv.
“In recent decades, it was common practice for us to act as a neutral mediator,” Weidel said.
“That role would suit us much better than being rhetorical warmongers.”
Germany: Merz will be replaced as Chancellor before Christmas – AfD leader Weidel