Hoppermann calls Schwesig's campaign "irresponsible"

German Chancellor candidate Manuela Schwesig is running a campaign focused on her own party, which CDU General Secretary Franziska Hoppermann has called "irresponsible" for weakening the political center and potentially helping the AfD. Hoppermann accused Schwesig of prioritizing party interests over the state's interests. Polls for the September 20 state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern show the AfD leading, with Schwesig's SPD gaining ground. The CDU has fallen to 7 percent, its worst result ever in a state election, while the Greens hover around 5 percent and risk losing parliamentary representation. Recent surveys suggest SPD, Left, and Greens could form a majority together, but SPD, CDU, and Greens would not. Greens leader Felix Banaszak also criticized Schwesig's campaign as reckless, accusing her of risking CDU or Greens failing to enter parliament while pursuing a left-wing majority.