Part 3/7:
Despite Merz’s ascendance to leadership, the CDU's performance in this election raises critical questions regarding his strategies. The party achieved one of its worst results ever, falling notably short of their ambitious target of 30%. A significant aspect of Merz’s strategy involved an emphasis on immigration policy, which many analysts believe has inadvertently bolstered the popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). This raises concerns about whether Merz will adapt his political strategies as he engages in coalition negotiations.