Under pressure at home, Merz cancels UN appearance, source says

BERLIN, Sept 15 - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will not go on a planned trip to New York next week, a government source said on Tuesday, as pressure mounts on him following electoral setbacks for his conservative party.

Merz faces growing internal criticism following his Christian Democrats' (CDU) poor performance this month in Saxony-Anhalt, where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came close to securing an outright majority in a state election.

Merz had been scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in New York with other world leaders.

"Contrary to original plans, the chancellor will not travel to New York next week, as his presence is required in Berlin," the source said.

PRESSURE ON MERZ INTENSIFIES

At the national level, the CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, are polling at between 18% and 20%, far below their result in last year's federal election and significantly behind the AfD.

Confidence in the chancellor has also weakened within his own party. A weekend INSA poll found that a majority of CDU supporters no longer believe Merz is the right person for the job, while 78% of the wider public said the same.

Merz's conservatives have called a special meeting for Sunday, a party source said earlier on Tuesday.

The source said the aim of the meeting was to coordinate the party's response to votes this coming Sunday in the states of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin, chart a course with support at a record low and demonstrate unity behind Merz's leadership.

After the setback in Saxony-Anhalt, some CDU critics have said another poor performance this weekend could intensify pressure on Merz.

Asked at an event with business leaders whether poor outcomes in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin state polls could unseat him, Merz said he was determined to serve out his full four-year term.

Instead, he said the coalition with the centre-left SPD would pursue more reforms to solve Germany's problems.

MERZ PROMISES TO EASE FUEL COSTS

"I was elected for four years, and I would like us to use these four years to steer the country out of this difficult period," said Merz, adding that he did not want to resort to a vote of confidence to push through his agenda.

He said he wanted, among other things, the European Union to strike more trade alliances, such as those with the MERCOSUR bloc, Mexico and Australia, as a counterweight to U.S. and Chinese economic dominance.

Merz also promised fuel cost relief measures for motorists burdened by a surge in oil prices, but did not elaborate.

At a separate event, CSU leader Markus Soeder said he was backing Merz and expected CDU leaders to do the same.

The CDU is polling at 7% in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In Berlin, it is tied for the lead with the Left party at 20%.

Merz has rejected attemptsto tie his political future to individual state election results, arguing that Germany needs stability to push through an ambitious reform agenda and navigate European challenges including acts of hybrid warfare and support for Ukraine.

He has said there are no obvious alternative leaders or policies. REUTERS