Firewall compromised: has Friedrich Merz blown ‘democracy’s last shot’?
The German political establishment is in turmoil following a significant electoral victory for the far-right AfD party in Saxony-Anhalt. The article questions the future of Chancellor Friedrich Merz and the stability of Germany's democratic 'firewall' against extremist governance.
Why it matters
The rise of the AfD in regional elections poses a major challenge to the traditional political order in Europe's largest economy.
Demonstrators at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Monday to protest against the rise of the far-right AfD party. Photograph: T Seeliger/ hutterstock Demonstrators at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Monday to protest against the rise of the far-right AfD party. Photograph: T Seeliger/ hutterstock Germany Firewall compromised: has Friedrich Merz blown ‘democracy’s last shot’? Many fear chancellor is wrong man for the job at a time when Germany’s defences against far right are crumbling
Deborah Cole in Berlin Sat 12 Sep 2026 00.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google A cataclysm. A 9.0 earthquake. A five-alarm fire. A bitter rejection of Germany ’s joyous reunification three decades ago, and a threat to the democratic postwar order.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in