Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Merz Urges Europe Security Focus Amid German Political Pressure
Germany’s leader, Friedrich Merz, is facing growing criticism at home.
Some voters are unhappy about living costs, pensions and economic problems.
His party recently lost ground to the far-right AfD in one state election.
However, his CDU party won the most votes in local elections in Lower Saxony.
Merz said protecting Europe is more important than arguing about his job.
He also said Germany will continue supporting Ukraine.
The AfD wants Germany to improve relations with Russia and stop helping Ukraine.
Merz warned that a Russian victory could have serious effects on Germany and Europe.
More elections could show whether voters still support him.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Europe’s security should take priority over debates about his political future.
Merz reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and said he would not reverse Berlin’s policy toward Russia.
His CDU party won 27.2% in Lower Saxony’s municipal elections, ahead of the Social Democrats and AfD.
The AfD has called for restoring ties with Moscow, resuming access to cheap Russian energy and ending aid for Ukraine.
Polls and recent state-election results have intensified questions about Merz’s leadership and reform programme.
- Who
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, his CDU conservatives, the AfD and Germany’s governing political groups.
- What
- Merz defended prioritizing European security and Germany’s support for Ukraine while facing pressure over his leadership and reform plans.
- When
- Monday, September 14; the political pressure followed elections held the previous week and municipal elections over the weekend.
- Where
- Rovaniemi, Finland, where Merz spoke at an Arctic summit, and Germany, including Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin.
- Why
- Merz said Russia’s potential victory in Ukraine would have unprecedented consequences for Germany and Europe, while domestic critics cite economic insecurity, high energy and housing costs, and dissatisfaction with his leadership.
Merz and security-focused supporters
AfD and domestic critics
Policy toward Russia and Ukraine
Merz and security-focused supporters
Merz said Germany should maintain its policy of supporting Ukraine and warned that a Russian victory would have unprecedented consequences for Germany and Europe.
AfD and domestic critics
The AfD wants Germany to restore ties with Moscow, regain access to cheap Russian energy and halt aid for Ukraine.
Priority of European security
Merz and security-focused supporters
Merz argued that protecting Europe should take precedence over domestic debates about his political future.
AfD and domestic critics
Critics within and around the CDU argue that Merz’s leadership and government policies are contributing to electoral losses and voter dissatisfaction.
Economic direction
Merz and security-focused supporters
Merz says his reform programme is intended to revive growth in Europe’s largest economy.
AfD and domestic critics
Critics point to high energy and housing costs, economic insecurity and the need for a political shift in Berlin.
- Chancellor
- Friedrich Merz
- CDU result in Lower Saxony
- 27.2% in municipal elections
- Social Democratic Party result
- 24.6% in Lower Saxony
- AfD result in Lower Saxony
- 15.9%, placing third
- Public view of Merz
- An INSA poll said 78% did not think he should remain chancellor.
- CDU voter view
- Among CDU voters, 58% no longer wanted Merz in charge, while 36% still backed him.
- Germany’s Ukraine policy
- Merz said Germany would not reverse its support for Ukraine.