Merz warns AfD win in Saxony-Anhalt could scare off investors
What's next: Voters go to the polls Sept. 6 with AfD near 42%, just short of a likely absolute majority in the state parliament.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that a far-right AfD victory in next week's Saxony-Anhalt election could hurt the eastern state and make foreign companies think twice about investing there. Speaking to ARD, Merz said he could not picture international investors joining a groundbreaking ceremony led by an AfD minister-president. Polling cited in the report puts Alternative for Germany at 42%, ahead of the Christian Democrats on 22%, before the Sept. 6 vote. That level could leave AfD just shy of an outright majority, though the final seat count may depend on whether smaller parties clear the 5% threshold to enter parliament. Mainstream parties have ruled out coalition deals with AfD, leaving current state premier Sven Schulze to seek other options if his bloc stays in power.