The AfD's victory represents the biggest defeat in decades for the conservative CDU, the German leader stated at a press conference the day after the election.
"We are all deeply shocked," Merz said, according to German media.
Merz's CDU received 17.2 percent of the vote - around 20 percentage points less than in the 2021 election - while the pro-Russian and anti-immigration AfD received 43.8 percent.
The election result will have consequences. You can't just go back to "business as usual" after this, says the chancellor.
However, he promises to continue on the same "reform path" as before, but says he will get better at explaining the government's measures.
Merz emphasizes that the government in Berlin will ensure that the constitution is upheld.
This message also goes to our friends in Europe and around the world. We know that Germany bears a special responsibility because of its history. We will always maintain our political order and our strong ties to Europe.
The AfD (Alternative for Germany) is classified as extremist in Saxony-Anhalt and several other German states, due to the party's rhetoric around ethnicity and immigration. This means that the party is considered to be in violation of the German constitution.
