CDU state leaders back Merz as pressure mounts on his leadership

Germany's eight state premiers from the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) on Wednesday backed Chancellor Friedrich Merz as his leadership comes under mounting pressure.

Merz faces widespread discontent with his government and has so far failed to stave off a strong advance by the far right in the polls.

"Political Germany needs stability now more than ever. In this situation, what matters most is the unity, the drive and a clear direction of the German Christian Democrats," the eight state leaders said in a statement obtained by dpa.

It comes after the CDU - traditionally one of Germany's two main political forces alongside the Social Democrats (SPD) - was resoundingly beaten by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in state elections in Saxony-Anhalt earlier this month.

Two more state elections scheduled for this Sunday could see the CDU handed its worst ever post-war result at state or federal level.

'Giving up not an option'

While regional elections are not entirely determined by national politics, Merz's plummeting approval ratings are likely to play a major role in the votes in the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the city state of Berlin.

His squabbling coalition government, which also comprises the SPD, has struggled to turn the economy around and implement much-needed welfare system reforms, and is yet to find an effective measure to counter soaring fuel prices.

So far, Merz has weathered all calls for him to step down, stressing that "giving up is not an option." The backing by eight of the country's 16 state leaders, who wield significant powers in the upper chamber, was a welcome sign of unity.

"People can be confident that we will tackle their problems. As state premiers, we want to, and will, play our part in this, together with the chancellor," they said.

Merz not mentioned by name

Merz "welcomes the support of the state premiers," sources close to the chancellor told dpa.

"With this statement, the state premiers are demonstrating their sense of responsibility towards Germany," they said.

They added that Merz is focused on maintaining stability and credibility as the country navigates its latest bout of domestic turmoil, calling for "citizens’ trust in the reform process."

However, Alexander Schweitzer, former state prime minister of Hesse and deputy leader of the SPD, expressed doubt about the true extent of the conservative premiers' support for Merz.

"I don’t know who wrote it, who actually drafted it, but it seems no one realized what the current chancellor’s name is," said Schweitzer, noting that "the name Friedrich Merz does not appear in the letter."

"If I were the manager of a football club and my board had wanted to use this letter to confirm that I would remain in the role for the next season, I’d probably already be wondering where my sports bag is."

Merz didn't ask for letter, government says

Other senior figures from Merz's own party also backed him, however, with CDU secretary general Franziska Hoppermann saying the conservative bloc was "united."

"As Christian Democrats, it is our duty to steer our country through these difficult times," she told dpa.

This can only be achieved "with discipline, a clear course of action and support for our chancellor, Friedrich Merz," she said, adding that the "full focus must now be on the substance and implementation of our policies."

Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, meanwhile, rejected speculation that Merz had asked the state premiers to pen a letter of support.

"I don't know where this claim comes from," he said.