Merz postpones Trump call after AfD praise and 'ethnic cleansing' charge

news.liga.net (Ukrainian)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz postponed a scheduled September 9 phone call with US President Donald Trump after Trump praised the far-right AfD party following its election win in Saxony-Anhalt. Merz subsequently accused the AfD of seeking "ethnic cleansing." The call was planned to discuss the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Government spokesman Steffen Cornelius declined to give a reason for the postponement but indicated scheduling was not the issue, and he did not confirm whether Trump's AfD comments played a role. Trump had written on Truth Social that the "populist party" had a "really great evening," citing frustration with immigration rules, and ended with "MGGA." The AfD, which opposes further Ukraine military aid and backs Russia sanctions relief, won 43.8% of votes on September 6, 2026.


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