Merz vows reform course despite AfD's Saxony-Anhalt landslide win

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has vowed to maintain his government's reform course despite being "shocked" by the AfD's landslide victory in Saxony-Anhalt's state election, while announcing talks with coalition partner SPD on specific policy areas. The CDU suffered a historic defeat, with its share falling from 37.1 to 17.2 percent. Merz faces internal party criticism, though not open, with only 29 percent of CDU voters satisfied with his work and 75 percent of Saxony-Anhalt voters seeing him as a cause of the election outcome. The SPD has signaled a need to adjust social reforms, citing concerns about pension, care, health, and fuel prices. Merz acknowledged his communication failures, saying "that is my obligation, and I accept it." He faces two upcoming state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on September 20, with speculation about a potential leadership challenge from Hendrik Wüst if results remain poor.