German chancellor cancels Trump call following far-right election praise
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancelled a call with US President Donald Trump and declared post-WWII ties 'probably over' following Trump's praise for far-right AfD election gains.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called off a scheduled telephone call with US President Donald Trump after Trump praised the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party's recent regional election victories.
Following the AfD's strong showing in eastern state elections, where Merz’s conservative party suffered significant losses, the chancellor declared that post-World War II "unconditional" trans-Atlantic relations were "probably over" for the time being. Addressing the Bundestag during a heated debate, Merz clashed with AfD leader Alice Weidel, describing the anti-immigration party as a "destructive force" and condemning its policy platform. The AfD's surge has drawn international concern, as several German state intelligence agencies classify the party as a far-right extremist organization.
Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, Sweden Herald, The Guardian
Sources
- Sweden Herald — Trump praises AfD’s election success in Saxony-Anhalt
- BBC News — Germany's Merz attacks AfD in stormy debate after far-right election win
- The Guardian — Germany’s Merz cancels phone call with Trump after social media post celebrating AfD win – Europe live
- Bloomberg — Merz Says US Friendship Built Since War ‘Probably Over’ for Now
- Cyprus Mail — AfD wins German state as Merz’s conservatives suffer historic rout
Earlier coverage
- Sep 21, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCGermany's Merz cancels Trump call following US praise for far-right AfD gains
- Sep 21, 2026, 02:00 PM UTCGermany's Merz cancels Trump call after US president praises far-right AfD election win
- Sep 21, 2026, 10:00 AM UTCGerman chancellor Friedrich Merz confronts far-right AfD and pulls Trump call following election losses
- Sep 20, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCGerman chancellor Merz distances Berlin from US following Trump praise for AfD
- Sep 20, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCMerz declares post-war US ties over after Trump praises AfD
- Sep 18, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCMerz says unconditional US-Europe ties are 'probably over' after Trump praises AfD
- Sep 16, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz cancels call with Trump following AfD election post
- Sep 11, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCFar-right AfD wins historic state election in Saxony-Anhalt