Friedrich Merz opts to remain in Berlin following far-right AfD gains and ahead of crucial regional votes
2-MIN READ2-MIN ListenAssociated PressPublished: 4:00pm, 16 Sep 2026German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cancelled a trip to the UN General Assembly next week as he faces mounting pressure at home during a string of difficult state elections.
A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they couldn’t publicly discuss a trip that hadn’t been announced officially, said Wednesday that Merz won’t travel to New York as originally planned because “his presence is required in Berlin”. Merz had been expected to speak at the General Assembly next Wednesday.
There was no word on why his presence in Germany was required. But speculation has mounted that Merz’s job is in danger following a stinging defeat for his centre-right party by the far-right Alternative for Germany party in an election on September 6 in the eastern region of Saxony-Anhalt.
That damaged the already unpopular chancellor’s authority as he tries to push through reforms to Germany’s sluggish economy.
