Germany in September 2026: the most important developments in politics
Germany in September 2026 was dominated by the AfD's gains in three state elections and the resulting pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In Saxony-Anhalt on September 6 the AfD became the strongest party with 43.8 percent, short of an absolute majority, against 17.2 percent for the CDU. Lead candidate Ulrich Siegmund declared a mandate to govern, but other parties ruled out cooperation. The BSW called its talks with the AfD constructive, though the BSW in Saxony-Anhalt later rejected a coalition. On September 20 Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern voted. In Berlin the CDU failed to enter the state parliament and Die Linke became the strongest force; the SPD decided to open coalition talks with it, while Merz warned the SPD against such a coalition. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern the CDU lost ground and the AfD gained; Merz called the result a "disaster" and refused to resign. By September 29 polls put the AfD ahead of the CDU/CSU by a record 10.5 points, with the Union at 19 percent.
Merz's position was the second thread. An Insa poll showed 78 percent of voters no longer saw him as the right chancellor, and he cancelled his trip to the UN General Assembly. CDU state premiers issued a joint declaration of support on September 16, and the parliamentary group backed him despite open grumbling. Alice Weidel said he could no longer stay in office. On September 9 Merz and Weidel clashed in the Bundestag; Merz accused the AfD of wanting to carry out "ethnic cleansing," a statement that was fact-checked. Within the coalition the SPD threatened to block a care reform over out-of-pocket costs; the two sides agreed on a small reform on September 30.
A possible ban on the AfD moved up the agenda. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil called for a ban procedure on September 25, the SPD parliamentary group asked for a review process, and a hearing on a ban took place on September 30. Some political scientists and commentators warned against it.
Russia was the third theme. After a drone incident at Leipzig airport, Germany accused Russia, closed Russian consulates and expelled over 150 Russian representatives and relatives, while Moscow called the claims fabricated and closed Goethe Institutes. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Sergei Lavrov in New York on September 26, their first meeting since 2022. Merz said Russia was not interested in serious talks.
In local elections in Lower Saxony the CDU finished first on September 14, and in runoffs on September 27 the SPD lost Hanover and Oldenburg.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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