In a stunning diplomatic snub, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has cancelled a scheduled call with US President Donald Trump following Trump's public endorsement of the far-right AfD party's victory in Saxony-Anhalt.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled a planned phone call with US President Donald Trump.
- The decision follows Trump's celebration of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's win in Saxony-Anhalt.
- Trump posted "MGGA!!!" (Make Germany Great Again) on Truth Social, sparking diplomatic tension.
- The AfD won the regional election but lacks an absolute majority to govern alone.
The diplomatic relationship between Berlin and Washington has hit a sudden turbulence. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took the drastic step of cancelling a scheduled phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. This move comes in the immediate wake of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's significant victory in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, a result that has sent shockwaves through the European political establishment.
The catalyst for this diplomatic freeze appears to be a series of social media posts by President Trump. On his platform, Truth Social, Trump lauded the AfD's success, stating, “Wow, the populist party in Germany had a really big night,” and adding that “They are on the rise.” Most controversially, Trump used the phrase “MGGA!!!”, a clear play on his own "Make America Great Again" slogan, implying a desire to "Make Germany Great Again."
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident is more than a simple scheduling conflict; it represents a fundamental clash of political philosophies. By endorsing a populist movement in a sovereign ally's domestic election, Trump has crossed a traditional diplomatic red line. Chancellor Merz, who leads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has consistently maintained that foreign intervention or commentary on German domestic elections is unacceptable. This snub signals that Germany is willing to risk friction with the US to protect its democratic norms against far-right populism.
The alignment of global populist leaders creates a dangerous precedent where domestic democratic stability is traded for ideological solidarity.
The electoral data from Saxony-Anhalt reveals a crumbling center. The AfD won by a wide margin but fell three seats short of a majority in the 83-member state parliament. Meanwhile, Merz’s CDU, which had governed the state for 24 years, suffered a devastating blow, plummeting to 17.2 per cent support and securing only 15 seats—roughly half of its previous strength.
| Party | Vote Share (%) | Seats Won |
|---|---|---|
| AfD (Far-Right) | Leading | Near Majority |
| CDU (Conservative) | 17.2% | 15 |
| SPD (Social Democrats) | 9.3% | - |
| Greens | 8.9% | 8 |
| The Left | 8.6% | 8 |
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius hinted that the cancellation was not merely due to scheduling. The refusal of mainstream parties to form a coalition with the AfD leaves the state in a precarious political deadlock, further complicating the domestic landscape that Trump chose to comment upon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why did Chancellor Merz cancel the call?
While not officially stated as the sole reason, the cancellation followed Donald Trump's public praise of the far-right AfD party and his use of the phrase "MGGA!!!"
Q2: Can the AfD govern Saxony-Anhalt alone?
No, despite their victory, they fell three seats short of the absolute majority required to govern without a coalition partner.
