German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing pressure as his approval ratings fall and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gains support.
According to a poll by German public broadcaster ARD, only 13 per cent of Germans are satisfied with Merz's leadership, the lowest rating recorded for a sitting chancellor in the nearly 30-year history of the survey.
Economic concerns, including dissatisfaction with Germany's economy and planned pension and healthcare reforms, are weighing on his government.
The AfD has also overtaken the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in national support, according to the figures cited by Anadolu Agency, with 28 per cent support compared with 21 per cent for Merz's party.
Merz is also facing criticism within his party following a turbulent Cabinet reshuffle.
German magazine Der Spiegel reported that several figures close to the chancellor and within the CDU leadership are questioning his political future.
A senior CDU official, speaking anonymously, told the magazine that Merz could be forced to leave office by 21 September, following state elections in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
One possible successor is Hendrik Wüst, the CDU minister-president of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Wüst has rejected speculation that he could replace Merz, saying the chancellorship is “not an option for me at this time”, while leaving open the possibility of running for the position in the future.
Under Germany's parliamentary system, Merz could be replaced if he resigns or loses a constructive vote of no confidence in the Bundestag.
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The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
An unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia on Friday according to a report released by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Saturday.
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy and water systems, combined with damaged homes and rising living costs, could force more people to flee this winter, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned on Friday, as its response plan for the country remains less than 7 per cent funded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that a potential meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia could take place during the G20 summit in Miami in December, although neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed the talks.
Nearly half of delegates walked out of an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok on Saturday as Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov addressed the group, exposing deep divisions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Nationwide protests are set to begin in France on Saturday with students, trade unionists and remnants of the Yellow Vest movement expected to demonstrate against rising living costs amongst others.
European Union leaders wrapped up a summit in Brussels with agreement emerging on several key issues, including support for the automotive industry, trade tensions with China and financing for Ukraine.
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