Parties on the extreme fringes, such as the AfD and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), are gaining strength in Thuringia and Saxony. CDU leader Friedrich Merz and Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer urge changes in immigration policy to prevent further damage.
The traffic light coalition government faces criticism for its handling of immigration. The CDU is willing to have talks with the BSW but not with the AfD or the Left Party.
The BSW is open to discussions with the CDU, SPD, and Left Party to form a coalition without the AfD. The Union demands border rejections as a condition for further migration discussions.
The FDP seeks ways to improve its poll ratings and strengthen its faction. Russian media celebrates the far-right gains in German regional elections, seeing it as supporting Moscow's interests in Ukraine and undermining German democracy.
The CDU's approach of equating the AfD and the Left Party is criticized. The future of the Ampel coalition is uncertain as the FDP considers its options.
The migration meeting between the government, Union, and the Länder discusses measures for returning rejected asylum seekers, combating terrorism, and tightening gun laws. The Union demands tougher measures than those proposed by the Ampel coalition.
The Thuringen and Saxony elections have highlighted the rise of the AfD and the BSW, which poses a challenge to the political system and democracy in Germany.
