Activists scale CDU headquarters to protest against Merz's policies

Environmental activists have scaled the headquarters of Germany's ruling conservative party to demand a stronger stance against the far right and protest against the climate policies of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Activists from the Robin Wood environmental group abseiled down the façade of the Christian Democrats' (CDU) headquarters in central Berlin and hung a large red banner reading: "Take a clear stand against the far right: End social cuts, fight the climate crisis!"

A statement distributed by activists at the scene said the group was protesting against the policies of the CDU-led government, accusing it of "neglecting climate action."

It also accused the government of being at a loss about how "to halt the rise of the far-right AfD."

The anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party came out on top in two state elections this month, cementing a surge in support amid widespread discontent with Merz's coalition government.

Merz, whose CDU posted its worst ever result in a state election on Sunday - and failed even to get enough votes to enter a regional parliament for the first time - has long struggled with plummeting approval ratings.

Despite the recent routings at the ballot box, Merz has vowed to hang on to power and push through an unpopular package of economic, tax and welfare reforms that he says are crucial to revive the sluggish economy.