Angela Merkel urges Germans to defend democracy ahead of Saxony-Anhalt election

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged citizens to actively stand up for democratic governance during an event in Berlin on 29 August 2026. Her public intervention occurred one week before voters in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt head to the polls to elect a new regional parliament. Merkel, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) who led the federal government between 2005 and 2021, addressed the political landscape and the electoral momentum of Alternative for Germany (AfD). She stated that citizens must show courage in defending constitutional principles, describing civic commitment as necessary after decades during which democratic fundamentals did not require comparable defence.

I believe that now, once again, what we have not had to do for many decades, we have to really fight for this democracy and simply stand up and also be a little brave and keep our word and say, that is a wonderful way to live.

Nationwide reach and campaign dominance

In her assessment of the party's growth, Merkel stressed that the majority of voters across Germany do not support the AfD. However, she observed that the party has moved past its initial concentration in eastern states to establish a substantial foothold throughout the entire country. Describing the AfD as an all-German phenomenon, she cited its vote gains in western regional elections, including in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. Merkel stated that the party's presence has shifted public discourse during regional campaigns, especially in Saxony-Anhalt. She noted that the party has managed in part to determine daily political debates from morning until evening, leaving voters uncertain about the concrete policy goals and proposals put forward by competing democratic parties.

State polling and intelligence classification

The upcoming state election on 6 September 2026 in Saxony-Anhalt sees the AfD holding a substantial advantage across public opinion surveys. Recent polling figures place the AfD in first place with more than 41% of the vote. The CDU trails in second position with 22.6%, followed by The Left at 12.5% and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at 7.5%. The Greens stand at 5.3%, just above the 5% electoral hurdle needed to secure seats in the state legislature. The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) both register between 3% and 4%, falling below the threshold required to enter the state parliament.

Legal status and historical context

The domestic intelligence agency in Saxony-Anhalt (Landesverfassungsschutz Sachsen-Anhalt) classified the state branch of the AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist endeavor in 2023. Under regional legal definitions, this category is assigned when intelligence officials conclude with certainty that an organization aims to undermine the free democratic basic order. Merkel herself grew up in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) and became both the first female chancellor and the first leader socialized in East Germany to hold the office. Her remarks in Berlin address the political realignment occurring in eastern Germany as regional parties enter the final week of campaigning prior to the 6 September vote.