Merkel says heart bleeds over AfD rise in Saxony, blames Merz's strategy

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her heart bleeds over the far-right AfD's rise in Saxony-Anhalt, criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's "firewall" strategy against the party. She called it a critical moment in Germany's history. Merkel stated she did not invent the firewall approach and does not like it, arguing it will not convince voters. She urged democratic parties to define concrete goals, such as on pensions, and to engage in more personalized communication with citizens. Merz acknowledged the election result has shaken his CDU party to its foundations and ruled out cooperation with the AfD, which is courting conservative lawmakers for support in the eastern state.