Saxony‑Anhalt’s state premier, Sven Schulze, who is a member of the CDU, has openly criticised the performance of the federal government headed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Speaking to the Spiegel magazine, he remarked, “The image of the federal government must improve again”. He added, “We need real results, not just in economic policy”.
Schulze is hoping that, before the state election in September, the Berlin coalition can present a noticeably better record. “It would help us most if the CDU in the federal government focuses on its work” he said. “That would make our campaign here easier”. He pointed out that on September 6, Saxony‑Anhalt will hold elections in which the AfD currently leads markedly ahead of the CDU and all other parties in the polls.
He links the current mood among the population directly to the federal government. Many residents fear that economic hardship could return to the scale seen in the years after reunification. “This is not due to the state government here, but to the fact that many people have little trust in Berlin and Brussels politics” Schulze explained.
In addition, he highlighted structural differences between East and West Germany. “The average wage is still almost 20 % lower than in the West, and many people have no inheritance and very few savings. When diesel suddenly costs well over two euros per litre at the pump, it affects people here even more than in the West, where the average full‑time salary is €4,800”.
