German Elections: Merkel's Reputation under Danger

• 03.14.2016, 09:30
•  Europe,  World

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In three states of Germany elections were held on Sunday, which were called a test for the Chancellor Angela Merkel. These are the first elections in Germany after the refugee crisis and Merkel’s policy to tackle it or as The Independent puts it a referendum on her "open door" refugee policy.

The results of the elections show that Merkel’s policy is not being supported by the society and this policy became a cause for her party’s defeat. Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has been defeated in two out of three regional state elections. According to the preliminary results the majority of the votes (30%) in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt has received CDU, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) becoming the second largest party (24%) there, Deutche Welle reports. In the heartland of the German wine industry, the CDU lost to the Social Democrats (SPD) and in the home to Mercedes and Porsche, in Baden-Württemberg the CDU lost to the Green Party, The Telegraph reports. 

If we look at the picture after the elections, it becomes obvious that AfD now has a presence in eight of Germany’s 16 states. "Ms Merkel’s refugee policy has lost her party votes – we, by contrast, have made it clear from the start that we don’t want to take them in," The Independent quotes Alexander Gauland’s words, a leading figure of AfD.

The populist right-wing AfD is known for its anti-migration stance and during its campaign has even called the police to use firearms to stop migrants illegally crossing into Germany, ft.com writes.This party, which was created in 2013, was known for its opposition to the euro and it was only after the refugee crisis that it started to put its main emphasis on anti-migration.

So what importance do these elections have for Merkel and will it have a great impact on her further activities? In general, state elections in Germany do not have much impact on the national government. The 16 German states have their own parliaments and organize elections according to their timetable. However, the picture of these elections and the fact that the AfD is strengthening its position at least indicates that the reputation of Merkel has fallen, her migrant policy is not perceived by the society and this discontent is gradually increasing. The deal that the EU is going to sign with Turkey will also be a deciding one for Merkel as she is one of the advocates for this deal and in case it is agreed, but it does not justify itself, it will become a real blow to Merkel’s reputation.