Bavarian leader rules out internal move to oust Germany's Merz

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder, a key figure among Germany's conservatives, has thrown his support behind under-pressure Chancellor Friedrich Merz, rejecting speculation that the German leader could be replaced after a crushing state election defeat.

"Whoever stepped in immediately, if you go through the alternatives, would initially face the same problems - with an SPD that struggles with reforms," Söder told the Sunday edition of the Bild tabloid.

Söder leads the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Merz's conservative bloc governs Germany in a coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD).

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) won nearly 44% of the vote in last Sunday's regional election in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, while the CDU plunged almost 20 percentage points to 17.2%.

State elections are due next Sunday in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, while local elections are being held in Lower Saxony this Sunday. The results could also have implications for Merz's political future.

Söder: Merz is right man for job

Asked whether Merz was still the right person to lead a government seeking to push through reforms, Söder said: "Yes, he stands by the reforms."

Responding to speculation that conservative state premiers could call on Merz to resign after next Sunday's elections, Söder said there was naturally discussion about parties and individuals within the bloc.

But he said the conservative bloc should remain united and not allow itself to be divided by the AfD.

There would "under no circumstances" be any attempt by the CSU to oust the chancellor, Söder said.

Söder was more cautious when asked whether the coalition government would remain in office as planned until 2029.

"I hope so," he said.