Ex-chancellor Merkel urges Germans to 'fight for this democracy'

A week before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, former chancellor Angela Merkel has called on people to stand up for democracy.

"I believe that now, once again - something we haven't had to do for many decades - we must really fight for this democracy, simply stand up for it, be a little brave, stand by our word and say that this is a wonderful way to live," Merkel said at an event in Berlin on Saturday.

She emphasized that the majority of people do not vote for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). 

She noted that the party is very strong in the former East German states but has also grown stronger in the former west of the country. "It has become a pan-German phenomenon," said Merkel. For example, the party also made gains in the state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.

With regard to the election campaign in Saxony-Anhalt, Merkel said that the AfD had, to some extent, managed to "dominate all our discussions from morning to night." This meant that voters no longer know what the other parties actually want.

A new state parliament will be elected in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6. The AfD is well ahead in the polls for the state election.