Merz concedes CDU's worst defeat in decades in Saxony-Anhalt, vows reforms and Ukraine support

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz conceded the CDU's "most severe election defeat in decades" in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right AfD surged to nearly 44% of the vote, but vowed to continue his reform agenda and maintain support for Ukraine. The CDU secured just 17% of the vote, a result Merz attributed partly to his own low poll ratings and slow reform implementation. He acknowledged the outcome's international attention and said nearly 60% of voters backed parties questioning democratic institutions, a result that cannot be ignored. Despite the setback, Merz pledged to press ahead with economic, pension, and healthcare reforms, while vowing not to deviate from his stance on defending freedom from Russia. He warned that stopping Ukraine support would worsen the concrete internal security threat.