Merkel Calls AfD's Saxony-Anhalt Win 'Shocking'

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed shock at the far-right AfD's strong performance in the Saxony-Anhalt state election, calling the result "simply shocking" and a real turning point in the country's history. Speaking at the Digital X trade fair in Cologne, Merkel, a CDU member, said the outcome "bleeds her heart." She also criticized the CDU's so-called "firewall" against the AfD, arguing it fails to convince voters and that politicians must instead clearly state their goals and explain why cooperation with the party is impossible. Merkel further voiced concern that the AfD reaches people through emotional appeals beyond facts, warning that if feelings outweigh facts, it would represent a civilizational step backward. The news was broadcast on Deutschlandfunk on September 8, 2026.