The Aporia
The Straits Times. (2026, September 15). Embattled Merz seeks party backing ahead of fresh election tests in Germany. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/embattled-merz-seeks-party-backing-ahead-of-fresh-election-tests-in-germany
The Straits Times. “Embattled Merz seeks party backing ahead of fresh election tests in Germany.” The Straits Times, 15 Sept. 2026, https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/embattled-merz-seeks-party-backing-ahead-of-fresh-election-tests-in-germany.
The Straits Times. “Embattled Merz seeks party backing ahead of fresh election tests in Germany.” The Straits Times, September 15, 2026. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/embattled-merz-seeks-party-backing-ahead-of-fresh-election-tests-in-germany.
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Friedrich Merz, the embattled chancellor of Germany and leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), faces internal criticism following his party's poor performance in recent state elections. On September 15, senior CDU figures called a special meeting for Sunday to address setbacks and rally support behind Merz. The CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, are currently polling between 18% and 20%, down from their results in last year's federal election and trailing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). An INSA poll revealed that over half of CDU supporters no longer believe Merz is fit for the job, with 78% of the general public sharing this view. The meeting aims to coordinate responses ahead of upcoming state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday.